DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1917 Session I, A-02

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1917. NEW ZEALAND

DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

Presented, to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

INDEX.

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No. of SlTloS. of Date. Subject. ■rles. Page. 1916. 1 Nov. (1 Accidont to His Majesty the King 2 ,,12 His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in New Zealand : Alteration of title .. 3 ,, 13 Arbitration Conventions witli Denmark and Brazil 4 ,, 13 Peace Commission Treaty with U.S.A. : Appointment of Sir Eobert Stout as representative of New Zealand 5 „ 22 Appointment of Mr. J. H. Stringer as Consular Agent for U.S.A. at Christchureh .. 6 ,, 24 Panama Canal publications . . 7 ,, 26 Merchant Shipping Convention Aot, 1914 8 Dec. 4 Merchant Shipping (Convention) Act, 1914 9 ,, 7 Her Majesty Queen Alexandra's birthday : Thanks for congratulations 10 ,, 8 I Patents and Designs Aot (Imperial): Suspension of section 27 during the war 11 „ 8 I Dominions Royal Commission : Divisible expenditure .. 12 ,, 15 United States certificates of examination of nursery stock L916. 13 .fan. 6 j Military tribunals : Anglo-.Kronen, agreement .. 14 ,, (i I Royal Rod Cross Warrant 15 ,, 12 Port dues on vessels employed by the Crown 16 ,, 18 Importation of frozen moat into France 17 ,, 18 International Radio-telegraphic Convention 18 ,, 26 Dominions Royal Commission secretariate 19 „ 27 Acts of New Zealand Parliament, 1915: His Majesty's Assent. .. 20 Feb. 1 Examination of masters and mates in mercantile marine 21 ,, 7 I Circular to educational institutions regarding inventions and research 22 ,, 22 Importation of animals from the United Kingdom 23 „ 22 I Ships licenses : Order in Council 24 ,, 25 ! Special issues of war postage-stamps 25 Mar. 21 Telegraphic Convention : Accession of Somali Coast 26 „ 25 Postal war-tax, St. Vincent 27 ,, 29 i Scientific and industrial research 28 ,, 30 Ships-licensing system 29 ,, 31 Declaration of London: Order in Council 30 „ 31 Load-lines and dock cargoes 31 '' April 5 Insurance of cargoes against war risks 32 „ 6 j V.C. for Native troops 33 ., 14 Postal rates with East Africa Protectorate and Uganda 34 19 Military Cross and Military Medal, institution of 35 May 15 Imperial Institute .. 3(> ,, 24 | Life-jackets: In .tractions for Board of Trade Surveyors 37 Juno 13 1 British Honduras war-tax on letters .. 38 „ 19 His Majesty's birthday : Thanks for New Zealand's message 39 , ., 21 j St. Helena war-tax on letters 40 . ,, 22 War-tax on correspondence from Grenada and St. Lucia 41 ,, 23 War-tax on correspondence from .Jamaica 42 ,, 26 i Norwegian Consul-Oeneral, Melliourno .. .. .. 43 „ 29 I Copyright .. 44 I 29 I Prince of Wales's birthday : Acknowledging message 2 2 :s 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 7 7 8 0 10 10 10 11 14 15 16 17 18 L9 19 20 20 20 21 21 22 22 22 23 24 25 26 26 26 27 27 27 2!)

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No. 1. New Zealand, No. 611. My Lord, — Downing Street, 6th November, 1915. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's telegram of the 30th ultimo, and to convey to you and your Ministers an expression of His Majesty's sincere thanks for the message of sympathy in his accident from yourself, your Ministers, and the people of New Zealand. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. 2. New Zealand, No. 623. My Lord, — Downing Street, 12th November, 1915. T have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that it has been represented to the Board of Trade that the title " His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for New Zealand " may lead to the belief that the officer in question is appointed by the Dominion Government to act on behalf of New Zealand trade interests, and is not in the employment of His Majesty s Government. 2. The Board has therefore decided that the title should be altered to " His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in New Zealand," and that similar alterations should be made in the titles of the Trade Commissioners in the other dominions. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. of Series. Date. Subject. Rage. 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 80 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 1916. July 5 6 „ 18 „ 21 ., 26 „ 27 Aug. 8 ., 21 » 21 i, 24 „ 31 Sept. 4 8 » 13 „ 15 Oct. 10 „ 16 „ 10 „ 28 „ 30 Nov. 1 6 0 Acknowledging Governor's Speeoh .. . ,.x Canadian scheme of scientific and industrial research Declaration of London : Orders withdrawn, and Maritime Rights Order substituted Declaration of London Orders in Council: Note to neutral representatives Ships' lifeboat compasses : Board of Trade notices Scientific and industrial research control Ships' lifeboats Imperial College otl Science and 'technology Jamaica war-tax on letters and parcels Examination of masters in mercantile marine War-tax on correspondence from Leeward Islands Touring exhibition of goods of British manufacture .. Imperial penny postage and British Post Offico agencies in China Imperial Institute .. .. .. .. .. .. ... Examination of masters and mates Scientific and industrial research, Commonwealth of Australia War-tax on letters' from St. Helena Scientific and industrial research, Union of South Africa Nobel Poace Prize .. .. .. .. Death of tho Hon. Sir Maurice O'Rorke White Slavo Traffic Convention ... New Zealand Acts : Royal Assent Swearing-in of tho Right Hon. W. F. Massey as a Privy Councillor 29 29 31 32 33 34 34 35 35 36 36 37 37 38 39 41 45 45 46 46 47 47 48

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No. 3. New Zealand, No. 628. My Lord,— Downing Street, 13th November, 1915. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that, as the Arbitration Conventions concluded with Denmark and Brazil will expire on the 4th and 6th May, 1916, respectively, unless renewed on or before those dates, His Majesty's Government propose, in accordance with the established policy, which they understand is in harmony with the views of your Ministers, to renew those agreements in due course. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

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No. 4. New Zealand, No. 629. My Lord, — Downing Street, 13th November, 1915. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 170, of the 31st August last, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, copy of a note addressed to the United States Government, informing them of the appointment of Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G., as the representative of your Government under Article 111 of the Peace Commission Treaty with the United States. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Sin, — British Embassy, Washington, 20th October, 1915. With reference to my note, No. 372, of the 14th instant, I have the honour, under instructions from His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to inform you that the Dominion of New Zealand will be represented, under Article 111 of the treaty signed between Great Britain and the United States on the 15th September, 1914, by Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G., Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. I have, &c, Cecil Spbing Rice. The Hon. Robert Lansing, Secretary of State of the United States.

No. 5. New Zealand, No. 647. My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd November, 1915. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of an application which has been received from the United States Ambassador at this Court, on the subject of the appointment of Mr. John Henry Stringer as Consular Agent of the United States at Christchurch. As this gentleman is in New Zealand, I have to request that you will report whether there is any objection to this appointment; and, if not, that you will recognize him in that capacity, and report when you have done so. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

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Enclosure. Sib, — American Embassy, London, Bth November, 1915. 1 have the honour to transmit herewith the Commission of Mr. John Henry Stringer, a British subject, as Consular Agent of the United States at Christchureh, New Zealand, and to request you to be good enough-to take the steps necessary for his recognition in that capacity in case the appointment be found agreeable to His Majesty's Government. Mr. Stringer was bom in Christchureh fifty-seven years ago, and has been the agent for Reuters Telegraph Company and a public accountant in that place for fourteen years. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, Bt., E.G., &c. Walter Hines Pace.

No. 6. New Zealand, No. 650. My Lord, — Downing Street, 24th November, 1915. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 148, of the 6th August last, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that it has been arranged that six copies of all future publications regarding the Panama Canal shall be sent direct to the Government of New Zealand. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.O, &c.

No. 7. New Zealand, No. 660. My Lord, — Downing Street, 26th November, 1915. With reference to my despatch, No. 334, of the 23rd June last, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that it has been decided to postpone further the coming into operation of the Merchant Shipping (Convention) Act, 1914, until the Ist July, 1916. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. 8. New Zealand, No. 676. My Lord, — Downing Street, 4th December, 1915. With reference to my despatch, No. 660, of the 26th November, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of the London Gazette of the 30th November, 1915, containing (pp. 11923-4) an Order in Council of the 30th November postponing until the Ist July, 1916, the coming into operation of the Merchant Shipping .(Convention) Act, 1914. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. 9. New Zealand, No. 681. My Lord, Downing Street, 7th December, 1915. I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that I have duly laid your telegram of the 2nd December before Her Majesty Queen Alexandra, who desires to express her thanks for the good wishes of yourself and the Government and people of New Zealand on the occasion of her birthday. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

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No. 10. New Zealand, No. 687. My Lord, — Downing Street, Bth December, 1915. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of Act 5 & 6 Geo. V, chap. 85, of the Imperial Parliament, entitled " An Act to suspend the Operation of Section Twenty-seven of the Patents and Designs Act, 1907, during the Continuance of the Present War, and for a Period of Six Months thereafter." I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Patents and Designs Act (Partial Suspension) Act, 1915. Chapter 85. An Act to suspend the Operation of Section Twenty-seven of the Patents and Designs Act, 1907, during the Continuance of the Present War, and for a Period of Six Months thereafter. [23rd November, 1915.] Be it enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows : — 1. The operation of section twenty-seven of the Patents and Designs Act, 1907, shall be suspended during the continuance of the present war, and for a period of six months thereafter; and in reckoning the period of four years mentioned in the said section the period during which that section is suspended by virtue of this Act shall not be taken into account. 2. This Act may be cited as the Patents and Designs Act (Partial Suspension) Act, 1915.

No. 11. New Zealand, No. 688. My Lord, — Downing Street, Bth December, 1915. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 192, of the 10th November, 1914, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, a statement of the divisible expenditure of the Dominions Royal Commission in the year ended 31st March, 1914, so far as it has been advanced from Imperial funds. In addition certain advances have been made by the dominions, and the complete statement of divisible expenditure for 1913-14 is as follows : — £ s. d. Advanced by this country ... . ... 2,338 15 3 Advanced by South Africa ... ... 732 Ll 11 Advanced by New Zealand ... ... 758 4 0 Advanced by Australia ... ... ... 1,194 16 6 Advanced by Canada ... ... ... Nil Advanced by Newfoundland ... ... Nil Total ... ... ... £5,024 7 8 The share of each dominion is therefore one-sixth of the above total, or £837 7s. 11. 2. Against this figure there has to be set off in the case of New Zealand the sum of £758 4s. for the amount due to the Government of the Dominion for divisible expenditure defrayed by it, as shown above. The amount due from your Government will therefore be £79 3s. lid. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

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Enclosure. Dominions Commission.—Statement op Divisible Expenditure of the Commission in the Year 1913-14. Salaries :— £ s . ,i. £ s . d. Secretary .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 300 0 0 Assistant secretary .. .. .. .. .. .. 150 0 0 Shorthand-writer .. ' .. .. .. .. 99 15 0 Typist .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 71 4 3 Cost of substitutes for seconded officers .. .. .. ~ 341 6 5 Casual typewriting .. .. .. .. .. 12 5 0 Fee for report on emigration questions .. .. .. 50 0 0 Cost of preparation of statistics .. .. .. .. 93 0 0 Miscellaneous gratuities, &c. .. .. .. .. 15 2 6 1,132 13 2 Travelling-expenses and Subsistence Allowances :— £ s . d. Office staff .. .. .. .. .. 112 11 Witnesses before Commission .. .. .. 20 0 0 21 12 11 Travelling- Subsistence expenses. Allowance. On Australian-New Zealand tour— £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. di Secretary . . .. .. 24 10 0 143 0 0 167 10 0 Shorthand-writer .. .. 23 17 11 129 12 6 153 10 5 Witness before Commission .. .. .. 0 6 6 Cost of study - cabin, s.s. " Morea " .. .... ... 25 0 0 Motor-hire, &c. (total amount paid, £64 Is. Bd.; one-half charged to United Kingdom funds and remainder included herein) .. .. .. 32 010 378 7 9 On South African tour — £ v. d. £ s. d. £ g. d. Secretary .. .. .. 91 3 4 75 10 0 166 13 4 Assistant-secretary .. .. 90 6 4 49 10 0 139 16 4 Shorthand-writer .. .. 9] 6 4 58 5 0 149 11 4 Witnesses before Commission, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 410 5 Casual shorthand-writer, subsistence allowance .... .. 110 Cost of study-cabin on s.s. " Kinfauns Castle " .. .. .. 30 14 0 Motor-hire, &c. (total amount paid, £102 145.) .. .. .. 51 7 0 — 543 13 5 943 14 1 Incidental Expenses : — Cost of telegrams, stamps, Press cuttings, subscription, repairs to typewriter, cases for official papers, and various incidental office expenses .. 85 9 1 Shorthand-writing :— Payments to shorthand-writers in the United Kingdom at the usual official rates —£1 Is. a day for attendance and 6d. a folio for transcripts .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 102 10 0 On Australian - New Zealand tour .. .. .. .. 1160 113 16 0 Stationery : — Paper and envelopes .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 116 Small stores .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 414 5 Books .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 595 Printing . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 810 7 Binding reports, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 17 14 1 Stationery office publications .. .. .. .. .. 080 Parliamentary publications, including reports and evidence .. .. 17 14 11 63 2 11 £2,338 15 3

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No. 12. New Zealand, No. 710. My Lord, — Downing Street, 15th December, 1915. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 192, of the 27th September, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the consideration of your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries inquiring whether the New Zealand Government will accept a certificate of examination of nursery stock in the form accepted by the United States Government. I have, &c., A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

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Enclosure. Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, Whitehall Place, London S.W., Sir, — 10th December, 1915. I am directed by the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries to ask you to express to Mr. Secretary Bonar Law his thanks for your letter of the 18th ultimo forwarding copies of the revised regulations covering the importation of fruit and plants into New Zealand. It is observed that under Regulation 8 (a) a certificate is required from the grower, and that, in addition, a certificate signed by an officer of the Board must be inscribed thereon to the effect that the nursery in which the plants were grown has been officially inspected and found to be free from disease. The Board have made arrangements for the examination of nurseries and for the issue of certificates of freedom from disease in order co meet the requirements of the Government of the United States of America. A copy of the certificate which is issued and accepted by the American Government is enclosed herewith; and in view of the desirability at the present time of avoiding as far as possible the multiplication of printed forms, Lord Selborne will be much obliged if the Secretary of State for the Colonies will be so good as to inquire of the Dominion Government whether they will be disposed to accept a certificate in this form if attached to the grower's certificate in lieu of that prescribed in the regulation in question. I am, &c., The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. Sydney Olivier, Secretary.

Board op Agriculture and Fisheries. Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1877 and 1907. Original Certificate of Examination of Nursery Stock. To whom it may concern : This is to certify that the nursery stock included in this shipment, as per invoice attached, was thoroughly inspected under my direction by , an Inspector of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, on the day of , 191 ; the stock was grown by at , England, and was found or believed by the Inspector to be free from injurious plant diseases and dangerous insect pests. , Head of Horticulture Branch of Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. No liability attaches to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries or to any of their Inspectors in respect of this certificate.

No. 13. New Zealand, No. 11. My Lord, — Downing Street, 6th January, 1916. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of the London Gazette of the 31st December, 1915, which contains (p. 13025) a notice issued from the War Office relative to the agreement concluded between His Majesty's Government and the French Government with respect to military tribunals. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

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No. 14. New Zealand, No. 12. My Lord, — Downing Street, 6th January, 1916. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a Warrant entitled "The Royal Red Cross Warrant," revoking the rules and ordinances hitherto in force for the government of that decoration, and substituting new rules and ordinances. 2. The award of the Royal Red Cross Decoration will follow upon good work performed and brought to notice by mention in despatches, and in regard to the nurses from the self-governing dominions who accompanied the Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand Contingents, the necessary mentions are expected from the Commanders-in-Chief in the field in due course. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. THE ROYAL RET) CROSS WARRANT. George 8.1. George the Fifth, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India. To all whom these presents shall come : Greeting. Whereas Her late Majesty our beloved Grandmother Queen Victoria, by a Warrant dated the 23rd day of April, 1883, did institute, constitute, and create a decoration designated " The Royal Red Cross " to be awarded in recognition of special services rendered in nursing the sick and wounded of our Army and Navy, and did make, ordain, and establish certain rules and ordinances for the government of the same, which rules and ordinances were subsequently amended by Royal Warrants dated the 11th day of December, 1897, the 24th day of July, 1902, and the Bth day of September, 1909 : And whereas it is our Royal will and pleasure that further provision shall be made for the recognition of such special services rendered in nursing the. sick and wounded in our Army and Navy: Now, therefore, We do hereby declare that the rules and ordinances heretofore in force for the government of the said decoration shall be abrogated, cancelled, and annulled, and Wo are pleased to make, ordain, and establish the following rules and ordinances in substitution for the same, which shall from henceforth be inviolably observed and kept : — Firstly: The decoration shall be styled and designated "The Royal Red Cross," and shall be divided into two classes. The First Class shall consist of a cross, enamelled red, edged with gold, having on the arms thereof the words " Faith," " Hope," " Charity," with the date of the institution of the decoration; the centre having thereon in relief the Royal and Imperial Effigy. On the reverse thereof the Royal and Imperial Cipher and Crown shall be shown in relief on the centre. The Second Class shall consist, of a cross which shall be of the same form and size as in the First. Class, but shall be of frosted silver, and shall have superimposed thereon a Maltese Cross enamelled red not exceeding half its dimensions, the centre having thereon in relief the Royal and Imperial Effigy. The reverse shall have inscribed on the arms thereof the words "Faith," "Hope," "Charity," and the date of institution of the original decoration, and shall bear in the centre in relief the Royal and Imperial Cipher and Crown. Secondly : The cross in either class shall be attached to a dark-blue riband edged red. of 1 in. in width, tied in a bow and worn on the left shoulder. Thirdly : The decoration may be worn by the Queen Regnant, the Queen Consort, or the Queen Dowager of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; and it shall be competent for Us, our heirs and successors, to confer the decoration upon any of the Princesses of the Royal Family of Great Britain and Ireland ; also upon the Queens or Princesses of foreign countries who may have specially exerted themselves in providing for the nursing of the sick and wounded of foreign armies and navies. Fourthly : It shall be competent for Us, our heirs and successors, to confer either class of this decoration upon any members of the Nursing Services without restriction as to rank, or upon other persons engaged in nursing duties, whether subjects or foreign persons, who may be recommended to our notice by our Secretary of State for War or by the First Lord of the Admiralty, as the case may be, for special devotion and competency which they may have displayed in their nursing duties with our Army in the field, or in our naval and military hospitals. Fifthly: The number of awards in the First Class of the decoration shall not exceed 2 per cent, of the total establishment of nurses, and the number of awards in the Second Class of the decoration shall not exceed 5 per cent, of the total establishment of nurses, the allotments to be proportionate to the numbers of each Nursing Service : Provided nevertheless that it. shall be

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competent for Us, our heirs and successors, to make such additions as, under exceptional circumstances, We may deem fitting. Sixthly: Recipients of the Second Class of the decoration shall'be eligible for advancement to the First Class as vacancies may arise. Seventhly: Recipients of the First Class of the decoration shall be designated "Members of the Royal Red Cross," and shall be entitled to the letters R.R.C. following their names. Recipients of the Second Class of the decoration shall be designated " Associates of the Royal Red Cross," and shall be entitled to the letters A.R.R.C. following their names. Eighthly : It shall be competent for Us, our heirs and successors, to confer either class of the decoration upon any ladies, whether subjects or foreign persons, who may be recommended to our notice by our Secretary of State for W~ar as having voluntarily undertaken the duties of establishing, conducting, or assisting in. hospitals for the treatment of sick and wounded soldiers and sailors of our Army and Navy, or of our Indian Military Forces, or of the Naval and Military Forces of our self-governing dominions beyond the seas, or as having performed valuable services with the Red Cross or kindred societies at. home or abroad, or as having otherwise rendered eminent services in the care of sick and wounded soldiers and sailors of our Army and Navy; and it is hereby ordained that all persons appointed under this clause shall be regarded as honorary members or associates, and their appointments shall be additional to the establishment ordained in the fifth clause of this our Royal Warrant. Ninthly: The names of those upon whom We may be pleased to confer the decoration shall be published in the London Gazette, and a registry thereof kept in the office of our Secretary of State for War. Tenthly: In order to make such additional provision as shall effectually preserve pure this honourable distinction, it is ordained that if any person on whom such distinction shall be conferred shall by her conduct become unworthy of it, her name shall be erased, by an order under the Royal Sign-manual, from the register of those upon whom the said decoration shall have been conferred. And it is hereby declared that We, our heirs and successors, shall be the sole judge of the conduct which may require the erasure from the register of the name of the offending person, and that it shall at all times be competent for Us, our heirs and successors, to restore the name if such restoration should be justified by the circumstances of the case. Lastly : We reserve to ourself, our heirs and successors, full power of annulling, altering, abrogating, augmenting, interpreting, or dispensing with these regulations, or any part thereof, by a notification under the Royal Sign-manual. Given at our Court, at St. James's, this 10th day of November, 1915, in the sixth year of our reign. By His Majesty's command. War Office, 16th November, 1915. H. H. Asquith.

No. 15. New Zealand, No. 25. My Lord,— Downing Street, 12th January, 1916. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 264, of the 21st May, 1915, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that I have been approached by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty as to the issue of some general instructions upon the question of exempting His Majesty's ships and vessels employed in the service of the Crown from the payment of dues in British ports outside the United Kingdom. 2. I think it is probable that the general privilege of exemption accorded to His Majesty's ships is recognized in the ports of the Dominion as far as possible, if not altogether. However, I shall be glad if your Ministers will take the matter into consideration, with a view to arranging, so far as local law permits, for the issue of instructions that, subject to the qualifications hereinafter set out, no dues should be levied on vessels engaged in the service of the Crown. 3. The consideration of this matter has called attention to a doubt which arises on the wording of the Admiralty instructions embodied in my predecessor's despatch of the 21st May, respecting the charges to be levied on prize or detained vessels in certain cases. In the subhead marked (b) under paragraph 2 of that despatch you will observe that the obligation to pay port dues was specifically prescribed for prizes or detained ships doing work which would otherwise be done by the mercantile marine, but the application of the same rule with regard to (a) and (c) under paragraph 2 was not made clear. 4. Accordingly I now desire to explain that, while prize or detained ships actually engaged on Government service should, like His Majesty's ships, be exempt from all pilotage, light, and harbour dues {ex gratia payments being,

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however, made for services actually rendered, particularly in the case of the usual fee to a pilot), yet when such ships are being used under charter to private persons or companies for work which might otherwise be done by the mercantile marine it is not desired that they should, even though they may be under Admiralty orders, enjoy exemption. In such cases the normal payments will be made by the charterers. 5. I may further observe that this same rule as to the payment ,of normal charges would apply in the case of other ships under the orders of the Admiralty when being used under charter in the manner described in the last paragraph. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. 16. New Zealand, No. 41. My Lord,— Downing Street, 18th January, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 655, of the 25th November last, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of two reports on the Bill to authorize the importation of frozen meat into France, one by M. Henri Cosnier, and the other by the Budget Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. Copies of these reports have been forwarded to the High Commissioner for New Zealand. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. 17. New Zealand, No. 42. My Lord, — Downing Street, 18th January, 1916. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 57, of 9th February, 1915, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the accession of New Caledonia to the International Radio-telegraph Convention signed at London on the sth July, 1912, has been notified on the 19th February, 1915; of Tonga, on the 29th May; Bolivia, on the 13th October; and Peru, on the 12th July. I have, &c, _ A. BONAR LAW. Governor Flis Excellency the Right Hon. the Ear" of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. 18. New Zealand, No. 51. My Lord, — Downing Street, 26th January, 1916 With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 303, of the 14th July, 1914, T have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that Mr. E. J. Darling, Secretary to the Dominions Royal Commission, departed on military service on the 20th November last. During his absence Mr. W. J. Glenny will act as Secretary and Sub-Accountant, with allowance at the rate of £75 per annum. Up to the 31st December last Mr. Glenny was assisted in his work by Mr. Bridgman, who received an allowance of 17s. 6d. a week. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.CM.G, M.V.0., &c,

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No. 19. New Zealand, No. 56. My Lord,— Downing Street, 27th January, 1916. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 228, of the 2nd November, 1916, and to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his power of disallowance with respect to the following Acts of the Legislature of New Zealand :— No. 1 of 1915 : "An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account and other Accounts to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, Nineteen hundred and sixteen." No. 2 of 1915 : " An Act to suspend certain Provisions of the Legislature Act, 1908, relating to the Disqualification of Members of the Legislative Council and of the House of Representatives." No. 3 of 1915 : " An Act to validate the Payment of certain Moneys out of the Public Account." No. 4 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Public Revenues Act, 1910." No. 5 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the War Regulations Act, 1914, and to continue the Operation thereof." No. 6 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Statutes Compilation Act, 1908." No. 7 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Education Act, 1914." No. 8 of 1915 : " An Act to amend and continue the Regulation of Trade and Commerce Act, 1914." No. 9 of 1915 : " An Act to provide for the Cancellation of Contracts with the Enemy." No. 10 of 1915 : "An Act to extend the Powers of Local Authorities in certain Matters during the Continuance of the Present War." No. 11 of 1915 : "An Act to amend and continue the Trading with the Enemy Act, 1914." No. 12 of 1916 : "An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account and other Accounts to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, Nineteen hundred and sixteen." No. 13 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Arbitration Act, 1908." No. 14 of 1915 : " An Act to continue the Operation of certain Expiring Enactments." No. 15 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Civil List Act, 1908." No. 16 of 1915 : " An Act to provide Pensions on the Death or Disablement of Members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces and Others whose Death or Disablement results from their Employment in connection with the Present War." No. 17 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Crimes Act, 1908." No. 18 of 1915 : "An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account and other Accounts to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first May of March, Nineteen hundred and sixteen." No. 19 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Tramways Act, 1908." No. 20 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the New Zealand Loans Act, 1908." No. 21 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Public Revenues Act, 1910." No. 22 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Regulation of Trade and Commerce Act, 1914." No. 23 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Settled Land Act, 1908." No. 24 of 1915 : "An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account and other Accounts to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, Nineteen hundred and sixteen." No. 25 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Marriage Act, 1908." No. 26 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Savings-banks Act, 1908." No. 27 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Fruit-preserving Industry Act, 1913." No. 28 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908." No. 29 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the National Provident Fund Act, 1910."

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No. 30 of 1915 : " An Act to make Provision for the Cost of Construction and for the Maintenance of the Hutt Road." No. 31 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Local Railways Act, 1914." No. 32 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1908." No. 33 of 1915 : "An Act to provide for the Compilation of a National Register of Men between the Ages of Seventeen and Sixty Years, and for the Compilation of Statistics as to other Persons." No. 34 of 1915 : "An Act making Provision for the Drainage of Swamp Lands." No. 35 of 1915 : " An Act compiling the Land Transfer Act, 1908, and its Amendments." No. 36 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Census and Statistics Act, 1910." No. 37 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Factories Act, 1908." No. 38 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the State Advances Act, 1913." No. 39 of 1915 : " An Act to grant certain Duties of Customs and Excise, to alter certain Stamp Duties, to fix the Rates of Land-tax and Income-tax for the Year, to amend the Law relating to the Assessment of Land and Income Tax, to amend the Law relating to Death Duties, and to authorize the Raising of Money in Aid of certain Public Works and Purposes." No. 40 of 1915 : " An Act to make better Provision with respect to the Government and Laws of the Cook Islands." No. 41 of 1915 : " An Act to make Provision for the Administration and Control of Moneys raised wholly or in Part by Private Subscription for Purposes of or incidental to the Present War." No. 42 of 1915 : " An Act to facilitate Military Manoeuvres." No. 43 of 1915 : " An. Act to render compulsory the Carrying of Lights on Vehicles at Night." No 44 of 1915 : "An Act to make Provision for the Raising of Expedi-, tionary Forces for Service abroad during the Present War." No. 45 of 1915 : "An Act to make Provision for the Settlement of Discharged Soldiers on Crown and Settlement Lands." No. 46 of 1915 : "An Act to authorize the Construction of certain Railways." No. 47 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Auctioneers Act, 1908." No. 48 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Dairy Industry Act, 1908." No. 49 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Footwear Regulation Act, 1913." No. 50 of 1915 : " An Act to make Provision for Persons totally incapacitated for Work by Reasons of Miners' Phthisis." No. 51 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Mining Act, 1908." No. 52 of 1915 : " An Act for the Detention and Cure of Prisoners suffering from certain Diseases." No. 53 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Local Elections (Proportional Representation) Act, 1914." No. 54 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the New Zealand Society of Accountants Act, 1908." No. 55 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Coal-mines Act, 1908. No. 56 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1908." No. 57 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Gaming Act, 1908. No. 58 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Destitute Persons Act, 1910." No. 59 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Mortgages Extension Act, 1914." No. 60 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Kauri-gum Industry Act, 1908." No. 61 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Education Reserves Act, 1908." No! 62 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Laws relating to the West Coast Settlement Reserves." No. 63 of 1915 : "An Act to further amend the Laws relating to Native Lands and to determine certain Claims and Disputes in relation to Native Lands, and to confer Jurisdiction upon the Native Land Court and the Native Appellate Court, and for other Purposes."

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No. 64 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Friendly Societies Act, 1909." No. 65 of 1915 : "An Act to extend the Powers of Local Authorities in respect of the Use of Power obtained from the Lake Coleridge Water-power Works." No. 66 of 1915 : " An Act to further amend the War Regulations Act, 1914." No. 67 of 1915 : " An Act to prohibit the Employment of Alien Enemies as Teachers in Public Educational Institutions." No. 68 of 1915 : " An Act to provide for the Exchange, Sale, Reservation, and other Disposition of certain Reserves, Crown Lands, Endowments, and other Lands, to validate certain Transactions, to confer Powers on certain Public Bodies, and to make Provision for certain other Matters." No. 69 of 1915 : "An Act to establish a Board of Trade and to make Provision for the Regulation of Trade." No. 70 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Post and Telegraph Act, 1908." No. 71 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Law Practitioners Act, 1908." No. 72 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Public Health Act, 1908." No. 73 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Education Act, 1914." No. 74 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1909." No. 75 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Law relating to Crown and other Lands." No. 76 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Counties Act, 1908." No. 77 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the New Zealand University Act, 1908." No. 78 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Municipal Corporations Act, 1908." No. 79 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Railways Improvement Authorization Act, 1914." No. 80 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Rating Act, 1908." No. 81 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Public Service Classification and Superannuation Act, 1908." No. 82 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Legislature Act, 1908." No. 83 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Defence Act, 1909." No. 84 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Shops and Offices Act, 1908." No. 85 of 1915: "An Act to appropriate and apply certain Sums of Money out of the Consolidated Fund, the Public Works Fund, and other Accounts to the Services of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, Nineteen hundred and sixteen, and to appropriate the Supplies granted in this Present Session." Local Acts. No. 1 of 1915 : " An Act to validate an Agreement made between the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the Borough of Tauranga and the Tauran'ga Harbour Board for the Acquisition of the Wharves at Tauranga by the Tauranga Harbour Board." No. 2 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Whakatane Harbour Act, 1912, and to enable the WJiakatane Harbour Board to acquire Lands to facilitate Reclamation, et cetera, and to borrow Moneys for acquiring Lands and for Reclamation, and for providing for certain other Matters affecting the Whakatane Harbour Board." No. 3 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Wellington City Empowering Act, 1908, and to confer on the Wellington City Corporation Power to raise Additional Loan-moneys for Drainage in Outlying Portions of the City." No. 4 of 1915 : " An Act to empower the Corporation of the City of Auckland to undertake the Purchase and Sale of Fish and to assist and control the Sale and Disposal of Fish in and for the City of Auckland, and to empower the said Corporation to grant certain Leases and to deal with Domains, Parks, and Recreation Reserves."

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No. 5 of 191.5 : "An Act to vest Portion of the Foreshore of the Manukau Harbour in the Papakura Town Board." No. 6 of 1915 : " An Act to amend the Wyndham Recreation Reserve Act, 1877." No. 7 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Wellington and Karori Sanitation and Water-supply Act, 1912." No. 8 of 1915: "An Act to vest certain Lands in the Waiapu County Council." No. 9 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Christchureh Electrical Supply Empowering Act, 1913, and to extend the Powers thereby conferred upon the Corporation of the City of Christchureh." No. 10 of 1915 : "An Act to enable the Bluff Harbour Board to borrow One Hundred Thousand Pounds for Harbour-works." No. 11 of 1915 : "An Act to vest certain Lands in the Body Corporate called the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the Borough of Devonport." No. 12 of 1915 : "An Act to amend the Dunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Act, 1900, and the Acts amending the same." No. 13 of 1915 : " An Act to authorize the Sale by the Inglewood Borough Council of certain Borough (Town Improvement) Endowments and the Investment of the Proceeds of Sale. No. 14 of 1915 : " An Act to extend the Powers of the Lyttelton Borough Council in connection with Diamond Harbour." No. 15 of 1915 : " An Act empowering the Springs County Council to reclaim Parts of a Lagoon, commonly known as ' Yarr's Lagoon,' in the County of Springs, for the Purpose of improving the Flow of the LI River through the said Lagoon and the Drainage of the Adjoining Lands." No. 16 of 1915 : "An Act to vest certain Lands in the Tauranga Harbour Board." No. 17 of 1915 : "An Act to vest Further Powers in the Otago Harbour Board." Private Acts. No. 1 of 1915 : "An Act to amend an Act of the General Assembly of New Zealand intituled the Church Property Trust (Canterbury) Act, 1879, and to extend the Trusts and Purposes upon which certain Property (therein referred to as the Dean and Chapter Estate) is held by the Church Property Trustees within the Diocese of Christchureh." No. 2 of 1915 : "An Act to vary and declare the Interests taken by the Children and Grandchildren of one Augustin Georgetti under the Last Will of the said Augustin Georgetti, and to authorize the Sale and Disposal of the Real and Personal Estate of the said Augustin Georgetti." I have, &c. A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. 20. New Zealand, No. 67. My Lord, — Downing Street, Ist February, 1.916. With reference to my despatch, No. 553, of the 11th October, 1915, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a circular issued by the Board of Trade amending the regulations relating to the examination in the United Kingdom of masters and mates in the mercantile marine. I have, &c. A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

A.-l, 1917 No. 11.

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Enclosure (Circular 1568.) Examination of Masters and Mates.—lnstructions to Examiners and Notice to Candidates. Temporary Certificates as Second Mate. The Board of Trade have decided to issue during the war temporary certificates of competency as second mate to candidates who have served three years at sea, and who pass the examination for a second mate's certificate. The certificates issued will be marked "temporary," and will be valid only until three months after the termination of hostilities. All the provisions of the regulations for the examination of masters and mates which apply to the examination for a second mate's certificate, other than the requirement as to four years' service at sea, will apply equally to the examination for a temporary second mate's certificate. Two years on a training-ship followed by two years' service at sea will therefore qualify a candidate for examination for a temporary second mate's certificate. On the completion of the service at sea required by the existing regulations the holder of a temporary second mate's certificate can exchange this certificate for a full second mate's certificate. George Stapylton Barnes, Secretary Ernest G. Moggridge, Assistant Secretary. Board of Trade, Marine Department, January, 1916.

No. 21. New Zealand, No. 86. My Lord, — • Downing Street, 7th February, 1916. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Ministry of Munitions enclosing a copy of a circular letter respecting inventions and research which is beingissued to educational institutions. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

A.-l, 1917, No. 12.

Enclosures. Ministry of Munitions of War, 6 Whitehall Gardens, London S.W., Sir,— 28th January, 1916. I am directed by the Minister of Munitions to transmit herewith, as arranged at the interview on the 27th January between you and Mr. H. W. Dickinson, of the Inventions Department of this Ministrj', a copy of the circular letter respecting inventions and research which is being issued to educational institutions, together with a list of the institutions in the dominions, &c, to which it is being sent. I have, &c, The IJnd er -Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. H. Llewellyn Smith.

Sir — I am directed by the Minister of Munitions to draw your attention to the Inventions Department of this Ministry which was recently constituted for the purpose of dealing with ideas, suggestions, and inventions for appliances in connection with the prosecution of warfare on land. The Comptroller is assisted in the task of dealing with the large number of cases that have been and are being received by an advisory panel of scientific and other experts acting in committees. The Minister has come to the conclusion that it is important that this new Department should be brought into close touch with the scientific departments of the universities and technical institutions throughout this county and other parts of the Empire. The Minister is aware that in many cases the heads of such departments are already engaged on the work of Government committees, or in special investigations which have been delegated to them. In other cases, no doubt, members of the staff are carrying out experimental work on ideas of their own, which they believe may be of value in connection with the many scientific problems bearing on the preparation of munitions of war; but he feels that it would be helpful to this Department to have some definite and detailed information on these points. Where the head of a department is already a member of a Government committee, or is carrying out in his laboratory special experimental work for such a committee, it would be sufficient for this Department to be informed of that fact; but in the case of other experimental work which has not been directly authorized, it would be of great advantage that this Department should be informed in some detail as to the nature of the work. In the above connection it is necessary to explain that all communications are confidential, so that where the subject-matter is patentable such communications will not in any way prevent a patent being taken out subsequently, should the inventor so desire, or the Department think fit.

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In conclusion, the Minister, while only asking at present for this specific information, hopes that by thus getting into communication with the scientific teaching institutions throughout the Empire the Munitions Inventions Department may lay the foundation for closer co-operation wherever that offers a prospect of results which will aid in the successful prosecution of the war. Communications bearing upon the subject-matter of this letter should be addressed to the Comptroller, Munitions Inventions Department, Princes Street, Westminster S.W. Circular Lett.br .sunt to the following Universities, etc Africa. Cape of Good Hope: Vice-Chancellor, the University. Johannesburg: Principal, South African School of Mines and Technology. Sudan : Director, Gordon Memorial College, Khartoum. Canada. Edmonton : President, University of Alberta. Halifax, N.S. : President, Dalhousie University. Halifax, N.S. : Principal, Nova Scotia Technical College. Montreal : Vice-Rector, Laval University. Montreal : Principal, McGill University. Saskatoon: President, University of Saskatchewan. Toronto : President, the University. Toronto : Chancellor, McMaster University. Winnipeg : Chancellor, University of Manitoba. Australasia. ■ Adelaide : Chancellor, the University. Brisbane: Chancellor, University of Queensland. Hobart: Chancellor, University of Tasmania, Melbourne : Chancellor, the University. Perth: Chancellor, University of Western Australia. Sydney: Chancellor, the University. Wellington, N.Z. : Chancellor, University of New Zealand. r

No. 22. New Zealand, No. 128. My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd February, 1916. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 229, of the 2nd November, 1915, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, copies of correspondence with the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on the subject of the importation of animals from the United Kingdom. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosures. Commonwealth of Australia, Governor-General's Office, Melbourne, Sir,— 20th November, 1915. Referring to your despatch, No. 251, dated the 20th April, 1915, concerning the restrictions imposed by various Governments in the Empire in connection with the importation of animals from the United Kingdom, I have the honour to inform you that I am advised by my Prime Minister that consideration has been given to the questions raised and to the terms of the proposal set out in the memorandum of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. While it is recognized that uniformity in the restrictions imposed by the various dominion Governments is desirable, it is considered that in order to protect the Commonwealth from the introduction of foot-and-mouth diseases some modification of the proposal is necessary. The following statement has therefore been prepared as representing the conditions which the Government has approved for presentation at the next Imperial Conference: — " That, subject to the Quarantine Act and Regulations, the Commonwealth of Australia is prepared to allow importation of animals from the United Kingdom into Australia under the following conditions : — " (1.) That a certificate be given by the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries in regard to each animal proposed to be exported to Australia that he is satisfied

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that it has not suffered from, or been exposed to the infection of, foot-and-mouth disease within the six months preceding the date of shipment. " (2.) That during the course of an outbreak, and for a period of one month from the date of the completion of the slaughter in the latest confirmed outbreak, shipment for the Commonwealth be entirely suspended, and that during these periods no certificate shall be signed by the Chief Veterinary Officer." I have, <fee, R. M. Ferguson, Governor-General. The Right Hon the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Commonwealth of Australia, No. 166. Sir, — Downing Street, 22nd February, 1916. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 385, of the 20th November, 1915, I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, copy of a letter from the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries on the subject of the proposals which the Commonwealth Government intend to submit for consideration at the next Imperial Conference with reference to the importation of animals from the United Kingdom into Australia. I have, &c, A. Bonar Law. Governor-General His Excellency the-Right Hon. Sir R. Munro-Ferguson, G.C.M.G., &c. Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, Whitehall Place, London S.W., Sir,— 12th February, 1916. 1 am directed by the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries to refer to your communication of the 6th ultimo, relating to the importation of live-stock from the United Kingdom into Australia, and the proposals which the Government of the Commonwealth intend to submit for consideration at the next Imperial Conference. I am to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State, that in accordance with the regulations of various countries to which live-stock is exported, the Board supply official certificates testifying that no case of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred during a stated period in the district where the animals have been located prior to their shipment. These documents are issued under the official seal of the Board, and are signed by one of the officers who are authorized to authenticate such documents. Lord Selborne thinks that it may be useful that the Australian authorities should be made aware that their proposals as regards the procedure to be followed in the issue of such certificates would not in his opinion be at present either convenient or feasible. On the merits of the proposals themselves Lord Selborne would not propose to enter at the present time, as he is of opinion that it would be preferable to defer discussion on the general subject until the meetings of the Imperial Conference. I am, &c. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. Sydney Olivier, Secretary.

No. 23. New Zealand, No. 1.29. My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd February, 1916. ■ With reference to my telegram of the 16th instant, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, printed copies of an extract from the London Gazette of the 15th February containing an Order by His Majesty in Council, dated the 15th February, extending the ships-licensing system. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 15th day of February, 1916. Present: The King's Most Excellent Majesty in. Council. Whereas a state of war exists between His Majesty and the German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria King of Hungary, the Sultan of Turkey, and the King of the Bulgarians : And whereas His Majesty holds it to be his prerogative duty as well as his prerogative right to take all steps necessary for the defence and protection of the realm : And whereas His Majesty did by Order in Council dated the 10th November, 1915, prohibit the carriage of cargo.by any British steamship exceeding 500 tons gross tonnage registered in the United Kingdom from, one foreign port to another, unless exempted by license : And whereas it has been made to appear to His Majesty that it is essential to the defence and protection of the realm that, in the exercise of his prerogatives as aforesaid, he should prohibit, as from and after the Ist day of March, 1916, any British steamship registered in the United

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Kingdom exceeding 500 tons gross tonnage, except steamships engaged in the coasting trade of the United Kingdom, from proceeding on any voyage, unless the owner or charterer of such steamship has been granted a license as hereinafter provided : Now, therefore, His Majesty is pleased, by and with the advice of his Privy Council, and in exercise of his prerogatives as aforesaid and of all. other powers him thereunto enabling, to order, and it is hereby ordered, that from and after the Ist day of March, 1916, no British steamship registered in the United Kingdom exceeding 500 tons gross tonnage, except steamships engaged in the coasting trade of the United Kingdom, shall proceed on any voyage unless a license to do so has been granted to or in favour of the owner or charterer of such steamship by the Licensing Committee appointed by the President of the Board of Trade under the provisions of the aforesaid Order in Council of the 10th November, 1915, which license may be general in reference to classes of ships or their voyages or special. And the President of the Board of Trade is to act and give instructions and directions accordingly. Almerio Fitzßoy.

No. 24. New Zealand, No. 138. My Lord, — Downing Street, 25th February, 1916. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a letter which has been received from the General Post Office relative to the issue of special postage-stamps in connection with the war. I have no doubt your Ministers will be good enough to give instructions that the provision of the Postal Union Convention (to which attention is called in the enclosed letter) should be complied with in connection with any such issues which have been or may become necessary. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

A.-l, 1917. No. 18.

Enclosures. Sir, — General Post Office, London, 9th February, 1916. I am directed by the Postmaster-General to send to you herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of a letter which he has received from the Belgian Post Office, concerning the issue of special postage-stamps in connection with the war by this office and the post-offices of the British dominions and colonies. So far as this office is itself concerned, no special stamps have been issued in connection with the war, but, at the request of the Crown Agents for the Colonies, a series of British stamps was recently overprinted with the word " Nauru " for use in that occupied territory. Specimens of these stamps were dulj' distributed throughout the Postal Union, in accordance with the provisions of the Postal Union regulation referred to by the Belgion Post Office—namely, Art. XXXIX (see extract enclosed). The Indian Post Office issued a series of its stamps overprinted "1.E.F." for the use of the Indian Expeditionary Force, and. New Zealand overprinted a series of its stamps for use in Samoa. Specimens of both these series have been distributed throughout the Union. Other special war-stamps are understood to have been issued, overprinted with British inscription. — e.g., the German stamps of New Guinea, Samoa, and Togoland—but specimens of them have not been distributed, and it is no doubt to those stamps that the Belgian Post Office refers. If the Secretary of State considers it desirable, a reminder on the subject of the provisions of the Postal Union regulation quoted by the Belgian Post Office can perhaps be sent to the Governments of the Australian Commonwealth and of the Dominion of New Zealand, as well as to the self-governing dominions generally, and the Governors of the Crown colonies. If it should prove that sufficient specimens of the stamps in question are not now available to admit of distribution throughout the Postal. Union, it will perhaps be possible to obtain at least three specimens of each for preservation in the official collections of this office, and three specimens for the Belgian. Post Office. I am to add that, in the case of any stamps issued in the Crown colonies otherwise than through the Crown Agents for the Colonies, the specimens for distribution among the Post Offices of the Postal Union should be sent to this office for onward transmission to the International Bureau at Berne. The number of specimens of each stamp required for the purpose is at present 376. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, E. W. Farnalt,.

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Royaume de Belgique, Ministere dcs Chemins de Fer, Marine, Monsieu'b, — Postes et Telegraphes, Le Havre, le 17 Janvier, 1916. Aux termes de l'art. XXXIX dv Reglement d'execution de la Convention principale de Rome, les administrations de l'Union doivent se communiquer, par l'intermediaire dv Bureau international, la collection en trois exemplaires dc leurs timbres-poste, avec indication, le cas echeant, de la date a partir de laquelle les timbres-poste dcs emissions anterieures cesseraient d'avoir cours. De nombrex timbres speciaux ont etc emis, a l'occasion de la guerre, mais en general, mon administration n'en a pas recu dcs specimens. Je vous serais tres oblige do vouloir me faire parvenir 3 exemplaires de chaque serie de timbres de guerre ou de Croix Rouge emis ou a emettre par votre office y compris ses colonies. Veuillez agreer, Monsieur, l'assurance de ma haute consideration. Au norn de la Direction Generate: Le Directeur d'administration. Monsieur le Secretaire dv General. Post Office, a Londres. Postal Union REGULATidNS. —Article XXXIX. 1. The International Bureau serves as the medium for regular notifications of a general kind concerning international relations. 2. The Administrations belonging to the Union must communicate to each other specially through the medium of the International Bureau :— (2.) Three complete sets of their postage-stamps, with an indication, when the case arises, of the date on which postage-stamps of previous issues cease to be valid.

No. 25. New Zealand," No. 200. My Lord,- Downing Street, 21st March, 1916. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the French Government have notified the accession of their colony of the Somali Coast to the revised International Telegraphic Convention signed at Lisbon on the 11th June, 1908. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool G.C.M.G, M.V.0., &c.

No. 26. New Zealand, No. 219. My Lord,— Downing Street, 25th March, 1916. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers t that the Governor of the Windward Islands has submitted a proposal for the imposition of a war-tax of Id. on. all postal matter addressed from St. Vincent to the United Kingdom and other parts of the Empire. 2. I have expressed my approval of this proposal so far as letters and parcels only are concerned, and am informing the Governor that in order to avoid delay it may be brought into force in anticipation of the consent of the other Administrations interested. I trust that your Ministers will not raise any objection to the imposition of such a tax in respect of letters and parcels sent from St. Vincent to New Zealand, and will give instructions for surcharging insufficiently prepaid correspondence, after you have received from St. Vincent information as to the date from which the change takes effect. 3. This tax is designed to provide additional revenue called for owing to the expenses to be borne by the colony in connection with the contingent from St. Vincent serving with the British West Indies Regiment, a unit raised in the West Indies for active service, and it is intended to continue for so long as the contingent is absent from the colony. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

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No. 27. New Zealand, No. 230. My Lord,—- Downing Street, 29th March, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 86, of the 7th February, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information' of your Ministers, three copies each of a memorandum prepared by the Committee of the Privy Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, on the proposals for extending the scheme of State-aided research to the Empire as a whole, the parliamentary paper (Cd. 8005) in which the scheme was originally set out, and the Order in Council of the 28th July, 1915, by which the Committee of Council was established. 2. Copies of these documents are also enclosed for communication to the University of New Zealand. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.0., &c.

A.-l, 1917. No. 26.

No. 28. New Zealand, No. 233. My Lord, — Downing Street, 30th March, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 129, of the 22nd February, relative to the ships-licensing system, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that I am advised by the Board of Trade that the authorities in British oversea ports need not take any steps to ensure that British vessels have obtained the licenses necessary to enable them to engage in any particular trade in accordance with the provisions of the Orders in Council of the 10th November, 1915, and the 15th February, 1916. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Ear] of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

No. 29. New Zealand, No. 237. My Lord, — Downing Street, 31st March, 1916. With reference to my telegram of the 31st March, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of an Order of His Majesty in Council, dated the 30th March, entitled " The Declaration of London Order in Council, 1916," modifying certain parts of the Orders in Council at present in force relative to certain provisions of the Declaration of London. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosure. At the Court, at Buckingham Palace, the 30th day of March, 1916. Present: The King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. Whereas by the Declaration of London Order in Council No. 2, 1914, His Majesty was pleased to direct that during the present hostilities the provisions of the Convention known as the Declaration of London should, subject to certain omissions and modifications therein set out, be adopted and put in force by His Majesty's Government.: And whereas doubts have arisen as to the effect of Article 1 (iii) of the said Order in Council on the right to effect the capture of conditional contraband on board a vessel bound for a neutral port: And whereas it is expedient to put an end to such doubts and otherwise to amend the said Order in Council in the manner hereinafter

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appearing: And whereas by Article 19 of the said Declaration it is provided that whatever may be the ulterior destination of a vessel or of her cargo, she cannot be captured for breach of blockade if, at the moment, she is on her way to a non-blockaded port: And whereas it is no longer expedient to adopt Article 19 of the said Declaration: Xciw, therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice of his Privy Council, is pleased to order, and it is hereby ordered, as follows: — 1. The provisions of the Declaration of London Order in Council No. 2, 1914, shall not be deemed to limit or to have limited in any way the right of His Majesty, in accordance with the law of nations, to capture goods upon the ground that they are conditional contraband, nor to affect or to have affected the liability of conditional contraband lo capture, whether the carriage of the goods to their destination be direct or entail transhipment or a subsequent transport by land. 2. The provisions of Article 1 (ii) and (iii) of the said Order in Council shall apply to absolute contraband as well as to conditional contraband. 3. The destinations referred to in Article 30 and in Article 33 of the said Declaration shall (in addition to any presumptions laid down in the said Order in Council) be presumed to exist if the goods are consigned to or for a person who during the present hostilities has forwarded imported contraband goods to territory belonging to or occupied by the enemy. 4. In the cases covered by Articles 2 and 3 of this Order, it shall lie upon the owner of the goods to prove that their destination was innocent. 5. From and after the date of this Order, Article 19 of the Declaration of London shall cease to be adopted and put in force. Neither a vessel nor her cargo shall be immune from capture for breach of blockade upon the sole ground that she is at the moment on her way to a non-blockaded port. 6. This Order may be cited as " The Declaration of London Order in Council, 1916." And the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and each of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, the President of the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Division of the High Court of Justice, all other Judges of His Majesty's Prize Courts, and all Governors, officers, and authorities whom it may concern, are to give the necessary directions herein as to them may respectively appertain. Almeric Fitzßot.

No. 30. New Zealand, No. 240. My Lord,— Downing Street, 31st March, 1916. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 181, of the 30th April, 1914, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of the report of the committee appointed by the Board of Trade to advise on the load-lines of merchant ships and the carriage of deck cargoes of wood goods. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

No. 31. New Zealand, No. 244. My Lord, — Downing Street, sth April, 1916. With reference to my telegram of the 2nd January, 1915, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Board of Trade have announced that as from the 3rd instant the Government office for the insurance of ships' cargoes against war risks will adopt a new method of dealing with these insurances, which will effect a considerable saving of clerical work and at the same time be of advantage to merchants and brokers in the expedition of their business. At present a policy covering war risks is issued for each insurance. Under the new system separate policies will no longer be issued, but a "floating policy" for a very large amount will be effected and kept at the Government office, and the " slips " — i.e., the detailed applications for insurance—will be themselves validated as certificates entitling the holders to the benefit of the floating policy. Printed explanations may be obtained at the War Risks Insurance Office, 33-36 King William Street, E.C. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

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No. 32. New Zealand, No. 255. My Lord,— Downing Street, 6th April, 1916. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that His Majesty the King has decided that the Victoria Cross Warrant of Ist January, 1867, covers the case of awards of the Victoria Cross to all Native troops forming part of the dominion or colonial Forces. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

No. 33. New Zealand, No. 273. My Lord, — Downing Street, 14th April, 1916. I have the honour to inform Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, that it has been decided to reduce to half an ounce the unit of weight for letters sent from the East Africa and Uganda Protectorates to places included in the Imperial penny-postage scheme. 2. The reduction came into force on the Ist April, 1916. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Plon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

A.-1, 1917 No. 31.

No. 34. New Zealand, No. 282. My Lord, — Downing Street, 19th April, 1916. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a Royal Warrant, dated 28th December, 1.914, instituting a new decoration entitled " The Military Cross," and of a Royal Warrant, dated 25th March, 1916, instituting a new medal entitled " The Military Medal." I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right l Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosures. Royal Warrant instituting a New Decoration entitled "The Military Cross." George, R.I. • George the Fifth, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India. To all. to whom these presents shall come: Greeting. Whereas We have taken into our Royal consideration the distinguished services in time of war of officers of certain ranks in our Army : And whereas We are desirous of signifying our appreciation of such services by a mark of our Royal favour : We do by these presents, for Us, our heirs and successors, institute and create a Cross to be awarded to officers whose distinguished and meritorious services have been brought to our notice. Firstly : It is ordained that the Cross shall be designated " The Military Cross." Secondly : It is ordained that the Military Cross shall consist of a cross of silver having on. each arm our Imperial Crown and bearing in the centre the letters G.R.I. Thirdly : It is ordained that no person shall be eligible for this decoration nor be nominated thereto unless he is a Captain, a commissioned officer of a lower grade, or a warrant officer in our Army or our Indian or Colonial Military Forces ; and that the Military Cross shall be awarded only to officers of the above ranks on a recommendation to Us by pur Principal Secretary of State for War. Fourthly : It is ordained that foreign officers of an equivalent rank to those above mentioned who have been associated in military operations with our Army, or our Indian or Colonial Military Forces, shall be eligible for the honorary award of the Military Cross.

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Fifthly : It is ordained that the names of those upon whom We may be pleased to confer this decoration shall be published in the London Gazette, and that a register thereof shall be kept in the office of our Principal Secretary of State for War. Sixthly : It is ordained that the Military Cross shall be worn immediately after all orders and before all decorations and medals (the Victoria Cross alone excepted), and shall be worn on the left breast pendent from a riband of one inch and three-eighths in width, which shall be in colour white with a purple stripe. Seventhly : It is ordained that the Military Cross shall not confer any individual precedence, and shall not'entitle the recipient to any addition after his name as part of his description or title. Eighthly : It is ordained that any person whom by an especial Warrant under our Royal Signmanual We declare to have forfeited the Military Cross shall, return the said decoration to the office of our Principal Secretary of State for War, and that his name shall be erased from the register of those upon whom the said decoration shall have been conferred. Lastly: We reserve to ourself, our heirs and successors, full power of annulling, altering, abrogating, augmenting, interpreting, or dispensing with these regulations, or any part thereof, by a notification under our Royal Sign-manual. Given at our Court, at St. James's, this 28th day of December, 1914, in the fifth year of our reign. By His Majesty's command. War Office, Ist January, 1915. Kitchener. Royal Warrant instituting a New Medal entitled " The Military Medal." George, R.I. George the Fifth, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India. To all to whom these presents shall come : Greeting. Whereas We are desirous of signifying our appreciation of acts of gallantry and devotion to duty performed by non-commissioned officers and men of our Army in the field : We do by these presents, for Us, our heirs and successors, institute and create a silver medal to be awarded to non-commissioned officers' and men for individual or associated acts of bravery on the recommendation of a Commander-in-Chief in the field. Firstly: It is ordained that the medal shall be designated " The Military Medal." Secondly : It is ordained that the Military Medal shall bear on the obverse the Royal Effigy, and on the reverse the words " For bravery in the Field," encircled by a wreath surmounted by the Royal Cipher and a Crown. Thirdly : It is ordained that the names of those upon whom We may be pleased to confer the Military Medal shall be published in the London Gazette, and that a register thereof shall be kept in the office of our Principal Secretary of State for War. Fourthly : It is ordained that the Military Medal shall be worn immediately before all war medals, and shall be worn on the left breast pendent from a ribbon of one inch and one-quarter in width, which shall be in colour dark blue, having in the centre three white and two crimson stripes alternating. Lastly : It is ordained that in cases where non-commissioned officers and men who have been awarded the Military Medal shall be recommended by a Commander-in-Chief in the field for further acts of bravery, a bar may be added to the medal already conferred. Given at our Court, at St. James's, this 25th day of March, 1916, in the sixth year of our reign. By His Majesty's command. War Office, sth April, 1916. Kitchener.

No. 35. . New Zealand, No. 356. My Lord,— Downing Street, 15th May, 1916. With reference to my telegram, Bth May, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of the Act 6 Geo. V, chapter 8, relating to the Imperial Institute, together with copies of the debates on the subject in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. 2. Your Ministers will observe that this Act has two main objects : the first is to transfer the management of the Institute from the Board of Trade to the Colonial Office; the second is to abolish the Advisory Committee appointed under the Imperial Institute (Transfer) Act of 1902, and to substitute for it an Executive Council of twenty-five members. 3. Both these objects were explained in full in the debates, and I would invite attention in particular to the speech by the Under-Secretary of State for India on page 710 and following of Volume 21 of the House of Lords Debates. I may observe, however, that the first object of the Bill is to give legal effect to an arrangement which has actually been in force for some years

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whereby the ultimate management and control of the Institute is in the hands of the Colonial Office. As regards the second object, it is hoped, by the establishment of an executive council constituted in the manner contemplated, to secure not only greater interest in the work of the Institute, but also a fuller development of its various activities. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

No. 36. New Zealand, No. 380. My Lord,— Downing Street, 24th May, 1916. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 307, of the 16th July, 1914, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of new instructions on the subject of life-jackets which are being issued by the Board of Trade to their Surveyors. 2. The Board of Trade state that copies have been sent to colonial authorities having power to issue passenger certificates valid in. this country, by virtue of Order in Council made under section 284 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c. Enclosure. Circular 1572.) Instructions to Surveyors.—Life-jackets. 1. Inspection of Life-jackets. —No life-jacket inspected on or after the Ist July, 1916, may be passed (except as specified in paragraph 2) as part of the statutory equipment of a vessel, unless.— (a.) It is of a type approved by a certificate of approval issued on or after the Ist January, 1915; (b.) It complies with the specification annexed to the certificate; and (c.) It is in good condition and generally fit for the service intended. Makers of life-jackets who wish to obtain approval for their life-jackets should make application as indicated in paragraph 9. On the Ist July, 1916, all certificates of approval dated earlier than the Ist January, 1915, will be cancelled. 2. Life-jackets previously passed. —Until the Ist January, 1918, any life-jacket which has been previously passed by a Board of Trade Surveyor as part of the statutory equipment of a vessel may be accepted as part of the statutory equipment of the same vessel so long as it remains in good condition. On and after that date no life-jacket should be passed unless it complies with the conditions stated in paragraph 1. 3. General. —Life-jackets intended to form part of the statutory equipment of a vessel must be of approved material and construction, and those intended for use by adults must be capable of supporting 15 lb. of iron in fresh water for twenty-four hours. Life-jackets intended only for use by children must in general be capable of supporting 12 Ib. of iron in fresh water for twenty-four hours. The required buoyancy may be supplied by cork, kapok, or other approved substance, but no life-jackets which depend on air compartments for their buoyancy will be accepted. The cork used in the manufacture of life-jackets should not weigh more than 12 lb. per cubic foot, and must-be of good quality, cleaned, and in pieces of not less than 20 cubic inches, except for shoulder or other special pockets. Kapok must be pure Java kapok of good quality, free from seeds or other foreign matter, and well cleaned. At least. 24 oz. of kapok must be in each life-jacket whose buoyancy is derived from this material. 4. Covers. —The covers may be of cotton, linen, or other approved material, subject to the following conditions : — Covers of all linen Tecklenburg with no admixture of other material must weigh not less than 6 oz. to the yard with a width of 27 in., must have at least twenty-eight threads to the inch in the warp and in the weft, and must be unglazed and uumangled. and free from all dressing. It may be bleached or unbleached, but no artificially coloured material is to be used. This material may be used for covering either cork or kapok. The minimum standard for covers of all cotton with no admixture of other material will be grey cotton duck 38 double warp and 54 in weft, weighing not less than 5 pz. to the yard,

A.-l, 1917 No. 38.

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with a width of 27 in. This material may be used for covering kapok, and during the war it may also be used for covering cork. Any other material must be submitted for approval. 5. Tapes. —The tapes must be of linen or cotton thread web l£in. wide, and capable of bearing a strain of 2001b, and must be securely attached to the cover; the ends of the tapes where they are attached to the cover must be doubled, and the ends displayed. The method of affixing and tying the tapes must be simple and easily understood, and capable of being rapidly carried out. 6. Sewing. —The tops of the cover must be sewn with doubled material, and must be at least as strong as No, 25a five-cord Whittemore cord. All other sewing is to be made with linen thread not less than No. 25. 7. Marking. —All jackets must be marked "Adult's Life-jacket," "Child's Life-jacket," or " Adult or Child's Life-jacket," as the case may be, and must also be marked in such a manner as will indicate clearly the Front and Back in. bold letters not less than 2 in. deep. The maker's name or trade-mark should be on all life-jackets. Life-jackets suitable for- children only should be encircled with a broad red band not less than 2 in. wide. 8. Distribution of Buoyancy. —The buoyancy must be so distributed in the life-jacket that when worn by a person, in the water it will comply with the following conditions : — (a.) When the wearer is inert the position of the body should be as near the vertical as possible, and if there is any tendency to depart from the vertical it should be to throw the head backwards. (b.) The buoyancy of the jacket should be so arranged that it will keep the wearer's head clear of the water when floating in the inert position, (c.) In the event of the wearer through any cause being rendered unconscious the head should be so supported that it would not fall forward and. the face become submerged . The "Adult's" jacket should satisfy these conditions when worn by a man of average size, weighing 10 1 to 11 stone, and the " Child's " when worn by an average-sized boy about eight years of age. 9. Approval of Life-jackets. —Application for test and approval of life-jackets should be made to the Assistant Secretary, Marine Department, Board of Trade, Whitehall, S.W, by shipowners desirous of adopting any speciaj type of life-jacket, or by makers; a sample jacket should be forwarded for a test, arrangements for which may then be made, the makers or their representatives usually being notified so that they may be present. When the test is completed a specification form will be supplied by the Board of Trade, which must be correctly filled in. and duly signed by the maker, who must also submit sample photographs in various positions of adjustment, with instructions for adjustment. The specification and photographs, and report on the test by the Board's Surveyors, will then be submitted for the Board's consideration, the result of which will be communicated to the makers, and if the jacket is approved they will be requested to supply a number of copies of the specification and photographs for distribution amongst the Board's Surveyors, and to undertake to provide with all jackets supplied a minimum number of photographs showing adjustment. All life-jackets must strictly comply with the specification and original sample approved by the Board of Trade, and be inspected at the maker's works, or warehouse, or elsewhere by a Surveyor, when a percentage of each batch will be tested by floating them in fresh water with the required amount of iron suspended from them. If found satisfactory they should be stamped with the Surveyor's initials or number, and date of examination. All life-jackets found on board ship may be tested by the Board's Surveyor, whether previously approved or not, and may be tested as to condition, or to ascertain what weight of iron they will support, and if found deficient a report will be made to the Board of Trade, who reserve the power at any time to withdraw their approval, of an approved life-jacket. A fee of £1, with the Surveyor's expenses, will be charged when application is made for testing any special type of life-jacket for Board of Trade approval. 10. Cancellation of Previous Instructions. —This circular supersedes circular No. 1459, dated December, 1908, which is hereby cancelled. C. Hipwood, Assistant Secretary. Board of Trade, Marine Department, April, 1916.

No. 37. New Zealand, No. 433. My Lord, — Downing Street, 13th June, 1916. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that I have expressed my approval of a proposal submitted by the Governor of British Honduras for the imposition, of a war-tax of 1 cent on letters addressed to destinations within the Empire, and that, in order to avoid delay, the tax has been brought into force as from the Ist April last. The new rates of postage on such letters (which rates also apply to letters to the United States

A.-l, 1917, No. 39.

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of America) are therefore as follows : For the first ounce, 3 cents; for each succeeding ounce, 2 cents. 2. I trust that your Ministers will not raise any objection to the imposition of this tax in respect of letters sent from British Honduras to New Zealand, and will give instructions for surcharging insufficiently prepaid correspondence. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

No. 38. New Zealand, No. 450. My Lord,— Downing Street, 19th June, 1916. I have the honour to inform you that I have laid your telegram of the 2nd June before His Majesty the King, who was pleased to command me to express his thanks to yourself and the Government and people of New Zealand for the loyal message of congratulation on the occasion of his birthday. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

No. 39. New Zealand, No. 455. My Lord, — Downing Street, 21st June, 1916. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Governor of St. Helena has submitted a proposal for the imposition of a war-tax of Id. on letters addressed from St. Helena to the United Kingdom and other parts of the Empire. 2. I have expressed my approval of this proposal, and am informing the Governor that in order to avoid delay it may be brought into force in anticipation of the consent of the other Administrations interested. I trust that your Ministers will not raise any objection to the imposition of such a fax in respect of letters sent from St. Helena to New Zealand, and will give instructions for surcharging insufficiently prepaid correspondence. 3. This tax is designed to provide additional revenue called for owing to the expenses to be borne by the colony in connection with local defence services, and is intended to continue for the duration of the war. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

A.-l, 1917, No. 44.

No. 40. New Zealand, No. 458. My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd June, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 219, of the 25th March, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Governor of the Windward Islands has since submitted a proposal for the imposition of a war-tax of Id. on all letters and parcels addressed from Grenada and St. Lucia to the United Kingdom and other parts of the Empire. 2. I have expressed my approval of this proposal, and have informed the Governor that the tax may be brought into force in the case of all three colonies, Grenada, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia, from the Ist June, in anticipa-

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tion of the consent of the other Administrations interested. I trust that your Ministers will not raise any objection to the extension of the tax as proposed. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

No. 41. New Zealand, No. 460. My Lord,— Downing Street, 23rd June, 1916. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Governor of Jamaica has submitted a proposal for the imposition of a war-tax of \ : d. on every letter and post-card and 3d. on every parcel-post packet addressed from Jamaica to the Lnited Kingdom and other parts of the limpire. 2. I have expressed my approval of this proposal so far as letters and parcels only are concerned, and am informing the Governor that in order to avoid delay it may be brought into force in anticipation of the consent of the other Administrations interested. I trust that your Ministers will not raise any objection to the imposition of such a tax in respect of letters sent from Jamaica to New Zealand, and will give instructions for surcharging insufficiently prepaid letters and parcels. Post-cards should not be surcharged. 3. This tax is designed to provide additional revenue called for owing to the expenses to be borne by the colony in connection with local defence services, and is intended to continue for the duration of the war. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

A.-1, 1917, No. 42.

No. 42. New Zealand, No. 471. My Lord, — ■ Downing Street, 26th June, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 283, of the 19th April last, I have the honour to request that Your Excellency will inform your Ministers that the King's exequatur empowering Monsieur Arne Scheel to act as Norwegian Consul-General at Melbourne received His Majesty's signature on the 29th April. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

A.-1, 1917, No. 47.

No. 43. New Zealand, No. 484. My Lord, — Downing Street, 29th June, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 72, of the 18th February, 1915, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of the Proclamation by the President, of the United States of America extending to British subjects the provisions of section 1 (c) of the American Copyright Act of 1909. It will be observed that this Proclamation does not apply" in respect of the self-governing dominions. 2. I should be glad to learn whether the draft Order in Council which accompanied your despatch, No. 86, of the 14th May, 1915, has yet been issued. If so, I presume that your Ministers would wish that the United States Govern-

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ment should be approached with a view to the issue of a further Proclamation securing the protection of musical works of New Zealand authors against reproduction by means of mechanical contrivances. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosure. By the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation. Whereas it is provided by the Act of Congress of the 4th March, 1909, entitled " An Act to amend and consolidate the Acts respecting Copyright," that the provisions of the said Act, " so far as they secure copyright controlling the parts of instruments serving to reproduce mechanically the musical work, shall include only compositions published and copyrighted after the Act goes into effect, and shall not include the words of a foreign author or composer unless the foreign State or nation of which such author or composer is a citizen or subject grants, either by treaty, convention, agreement, or law, to citizens of the United States similar rights " : And whereas it is further provided that the copyright secured by the Act shall extend to the work of an author or proprietor who is a citizen or subject of a foreign State or nation only upon certain conditions set forth in section 8 of the said Act, to wit: — (a.) When an alien author or proprietor shall be domiciled within the United States at the time of the first publication of his work; or (b.) Wlien the foreign State or nation of which such author or proprietor is a citizen or subject grants, either by treaty, convention, agreement, or law, to citizens of the United §tates the benefit of copyright on substantially the same basis as to its own citizens, or copyright protection substantially equal to the protection secured to such foreign author under this Act or by treaty; or when such foreign State or nation is a party to an international agreement which provides for reciprocity in the granting of copyright, by the terms of which agreement the United States may, at its pleasure, become a party thereto : And whereas it is also provided by said section that " The existence of the reciprocal conditions aforesaid shall be determined by the President of the United States, by Proclamation made from time.to time, as the purposes of this Act may require " : And whereas satisfactory official assurance has been given that, by virtue of the authority conferred by the British Copyright Act, 1911, a British Order in Council has been issued of even date with this Proclamation directing — (1.) That "the Copyright Act, 1911, including the provisions as to existing works, shall, subject to the provisions of the said Act and of this Order, apply— " (a.) To literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works the authors whereof were at the time of the making of the works citizens of the United States of America, in like manner as if the authors had been British subjects : " (6.) In respect of residence in the United States of America, in like manner as if such residence had been residence in the parts of His Majesty's dominions to which the said Act extends. " Provided that— " (i.) The term of copyright within the parts of His Majesty's dominions to which this Order applies shall not exceed that conferred by the law of the United States of America. " (ii.) The enjoyment of the rights conferred by this Order shall be subject to the accomplishment of the conditions and formalities prescribed by the law of the United States of America. " (iii.) In the application to existing works of the provisions of section 24 of the Copyright Act, 1911, the commencement of this Order shall be substituted for the 26th June, 1910. in subsection 1 (b)." (2.) That " this Order shall apply to all His Majesty's dominions, colonies, and possessions with the exception of those hereinafter named, that is to say : The Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, Newfoundland." (3.) That "this Order shall come into operation on the Ist day of January, 1915, which day is in this Order referred to as the commencement of this Order. "And the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury are to give the necessary Orders accordingly." Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, do declare and proclaim that one of the alternative conditions specified in section 8 (b) of the Act of the 4th March, 1909, now exists and is fulfilled in respect to the subjects of Great Britain and the British dominions, colonies, and possessions, with the exception of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Newfoundland, and that such subjects shall be entitled to all the benefits of section 1 (c) of the said Act on and after the Ist January, 1915.

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In testimony whereof I have hereunto sel my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and thirty-ninth. By the President. W. J. Bryan, Secretary of Stale. Woodrow Wilson.

No. 44. New Zealand, No. 483. My Lord,— Downing Street, 29th June, 1916. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's telegram of the 23rd instant, and to inform you that a copy of it has been communicated to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at the front, who is very grateful for your message. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

No. 45. New Zealand, No. 504. My Lord, — Downing Street, sth July, 1916. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 113, of the 11th May, forwarding copies of your Speech at the opening of the second session of the Nineteenth Parliament of New Zealand. I have, &c. A BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c

A;-J, 1917 No. 19.

No. 46. New Zealand, No. 507. My Lord, — Downing Street, 6th July, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 230, of the 29th March, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of Canada regarding a proposed scheme of scientific and industrial research for the Dominion. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosures. gm Government House, Ottawa, Canada, Bth June, 1916. I have the honour to transmit herewith, for your information, copies of an approved Minute of the Privy Council for Canada on the subject of a scheme of scientific and industrial research of the Dominion, of Canada. I have, &c, Arthur. The Right Hon. A. Bonar Law. M.P, Secretary of State for the Colonies. Certified Copt of a Report of the Committee of the Privy Council, approved by His Royal Highness the Governor-General on the 6th June, 1916. The Committee of the Privy Council have had before them a report, dated the 23rd May, 1916, from the Minister of Trade and Commerce, to whom was referred a despatch from the Right

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Hon. A. Bonar Law, Secretary of State for the Colonies, calling attention to a scheme of scientific and industrial research for the United Kingdom, as embodied in parliamentary paper Cd. 8005, attached thereto, and a copy of the Order in Council approving the same. The Minister observes that this scheme, proposed by Mr. Arthur Henderson, contemplated the appointment of a Committee of the Privy Council which should be responsible for the carryingout of the same, and a small Advisory Council responsible to the Committee, to be composed mainly of scientific men and men actually engaged in industries dependent upon scientific research. By Order in Council, 28th July, 1915, effect was given to this scheme, and the Committee and Council proposed therein were appointed and their respective duties set out. The scheme was to be applied to the United Kingdom as a whole, and was not intended in any way to interfere with the arrangements already made by the War Office and Admiralty in respect to obtaining scientific assistance for the improvement, of munitions of war, but was designed to establish a permanent organization for the promotion of scientific and industrial research. The Minister observes that, after this scheme had gone into operation, suggestions were made from various sources that it should be extended and made applicable to. the overseas dominions or even to the Empire as a whole. These suggestions were approved in principle by the Committee of Council, and a memorandum was prepared intimating certain preliminary steps that might be taken to bring about gradually co-operation of effort and co-ordination of research throughout the Empire. On the 28th January, 1916, the Minister of Munitions caused to be distributed to educational institutions in the United Kingdom a circular letter inviting co-operation in the improvement and invention of appliances for the prosecution of warfare on land, and copies of the same were sent to certain universities in Canada. As a result, these universities have given full information of the facilities they possess for carrying on research work in respect to the specific purpose of the Minister of Munitions. They express willingness also to co-operate and assist in the work of industrial research, and are of the opinion that, some Department of the Government of Canada should undertake to co-ordinate and supervise this work and act as a medium of communication. The Minister desires to point out the urgent necessity of organizing, mobilizing, and encouraging the existing resources of industrial and scientific research in Canada with the purpose of utilizing waste products, discovering new processes—mechanical, chemical, and metallurgical—and developing into useful adjuncts to industry and commerce the unused natural resources of Canada. At no period has the importance of such united and thorough action been so evident as since the conditions brought about by the war, when the scarcity of certain compounds and processes has caused confusion and paralysis in industries and greatly added to costs of living. Canada, has educational and scientific institutions more or less well equipped and conducting this research, which have already done much along their several lines, and are willing and anxious to equip themselves for doing more. There are also private, corporate, and Government laboratories more or less engaged in research work. The manufacturers''associations are alive to the importance and absolute necessity of such work in relation to the industries of the country, and are anxious to co-operate in and support it. What, seems to be immediately urgent is to have some method of co-ordination and direction which shall combine the efforts of all along the lines for which each is best adapted, and which would tend to avoid duplication and promote efficiency of action. To this end the Minister has been more or less in continuous communication and conference with representatives of the universities, the Canadian Manufacturers' Association, and the scientific institutions. The consideration thus given has resulted in a practically unanimous agreement both as to the necessity of immediate action and as to the lines along which it should be taken. The Minister therefore recommends the appointment of a Committee of Council, to consist of the Minister of Trade and Commerce, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Mines, the Minister of Inland Revenue, the Minister of Labour, and the Minister of Agriculture, which shall be charged with and responsible for the expenditure of any moneys provided by Parliament for scientific and industrial research; and also an Honorary Advisory Committee, responsible to the Committee of Council, to be composed of nine members representative of the scientific and industrial interests of Canada, who shall be charged with the following duties :— (a.) To consult with all responsible bodies and persons carrying on scientific and industrial research work in Canada with a view to bringing about united effort and mutual co-operation in solving the various problems of scientific and industrial research which from time to time present themselves. (b.) To co-ordinate as far as possible the work so carried on so as to avoid overlapping of effort, and to direct the various problems requiring solution into the hands of those whose equipment and ability are best adapted thereto. (c.) To select the most, practical and pressing problems indicated by industrial necessities, and present them when approved by the Committee to the research bodies for earliest possible solution. (d.) To report from time to time the progress and results of their work to the Minister of Trade and Commerce as Chairman of the Committee of Council. That a competent secretary be appointed on the nomination of the Committee and paid by the Department of Trade and Commerce. That the travelling-expenses of the Committee shall be paid by the Department, of Trade and Commerce. The Committee concur in the foregoing, and submit the same for approval. RODOLPH BOUDREAU, Clerk of the Privy Council.

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No. 47. New Zealand, No. 542. My Lord,— Downing Street, 18th July, 1916. With reference to my telegram of the 10th July, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of the Supplement to the London Gazette of the 7th July, containing an Order in Council dated the 7th July, withdrawing the Declaration of London Order in Council No. 2, 1914, and all Orders subsequent thereto amending that Order, and laying down provisions for the exercise of belligerent rights at sea in strict accordance with the law of nations. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosure. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the, 7th day of July, 1916. Present: The King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. Whereas by an Order in Council, dated the 20th day of August, 1914, His Majesty was pleased to declare that during the present, hostilities the provisions of the Declaration of Loudon should, subject to certain additions and modifications therein specified, be adopted and put in force by His Majesty's Government: And whereas the said Declaration was adopted as aforementioned in common with His Majesty's Allies : And whereas it has been necessary for His Majesty and for his Allies from time to time to issue further enactments modifying the application of the articles of the said Declaration : And whereas Orders in Council for this purpose have been issued by His Majesty on the 29th day of October, 1914, the 20th day of October, 1915, and the 30th day of March, 1916 :' And whereas the issue of these successive Orders in Council may have given rise to some doubt as to the intention of His Majesty, as also as to that of his Allies, to act in strict accordance with the law of nations, and it is therefore expedient to withdraw the said Orders so far as they are now in force: Now, therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice of his Privy Council, is pleased to order, and it is hereby ordered, that the Declaration of London Order in Council No. 2, 1914, and all Orders subsequent thereto amending the said Order, are hereby withdrawn : And His Majesty is pleased further to declare, by and with the advice of his Privy Council, and it is hereby declared, that it. is and always has been his intention, as it is and has been that of his Allies, to exercise their belligerent rights at sea in strict accordance with the law of nations : And whereas "on account of the changed conditions of commerce and the diversity of practice doubts might arise in certain matters as to the rules which His Majesty and his Allies regard as being in conformity with the law of nations, and it is expedient to deal with such matters specifically : It is hereby ordered that the following provisions shall be observed :— (a.) The hostile destination required for the condemnation of contraband articles shall be presumed to exist, until the contrary is shown, if the goods are consigned to OT for an enemy authority, or an agent of the enemy State, or to or for a person in territory belonging to or occupied by the enemy, or to or for a person who, during the present hostilities, has forwarded contraband goods to an enemy authority, or an agent of the enemy State, or to or for a person in territory belonging to or occupied by the enemy, or if the goods are consigned " to order," or if the ship's papers do not show who is the real consignee of the goods. (b.) The principle of continuous voyage or ultimate destination shall be applicable both in cases of contraband and of blockade. (c.) A. neutral vessel carrying contraband with papers indicating a neutral destination, which, notwithstanding the destination shown on the papers, proceeds to an enemy port, shall be liable to capture and condemnation if she is encountered before the end of. her next voyage. (d.) A vessel carrying contraband shall be liable to capture and condemnation if the contraband, reckoned either by value, weight, volume, or freight, forms more than half the cargo. And it is hereby further ordered as follows : — (i.) Nothing herein shall be deemed to affect the Order, in Council of the 11th March, 1915, for restricting further the commerce of the enemy, or any of His Majesty's Proclamations declaring articles to be contraband of war during the present hostilities.

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(ii.) Nothing herein shall affect the validity of anything done under the Orders in Council hereby withdrawn. (iii.) Any cause or proceeding commenced in any Prize Court before the making of this Order may, if the Court thinks just, be heard and decided under the provisions of the Orders hereby withdrawn so far as they were in force at the date when such cause or proceeding was commenced, or would have been applicable in such cause or proceeding if this Order had not been made. This Order may be cited as " The Maritime Rights Order in Council, 1916." And the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and each of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of ! State, the President of the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Division of the High Court of Justice, all other Judges of His Majesty's Prize Courts, and all Governors, officers, and authorities whom it may concern, are to give the necessary directions herein as to them may respectively appertain, Almeric Fitzßoy.

No. 48. New Zealand, No. 551. My Lord,— Downing Street, 21st July, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 542, of the 18th July, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a parliamentary paper (Cd. 8293), containing a note addressed by His Majesty's Government to neutral representatives in London respecting the withdrawal of the Declaration of London Orders in Council. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosures. Note addressed by His Majesty's Government to Neutral Representatives in London respecting the Withdrawal op the Declaration of London Orders in Council. No. 1. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the United States Ambassador,* and has the honour to transmit herewith, for the information of the United States Government, the text of an Order in Council of to-day's date, effecting a change in the rules hitherto adopted by His Majesty's Government to govern their conduct of warfare at sea during the present hostilities. A memorandum which has been drawn up by the British and French Governments is also enclosed explaining the grounds for the issue -of this Order. Foreign Office, 7th fuly, 1916.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. Memorandum. At the beginning of the present war the Allied Governments, in their anxiety to regulate their conduct by the principles of the law of nations, believed that in the Declaration of London they would find a suitable digest of principles and compendium of working rules. They accordingly decided to adopt the provisions of the Declaration, not as in itself possessing for them the force of law, but because it seemed to present in its main lines a statement of the rights and the duties of belligerents based on. the experience of previous naval wars. As the present struggle developed, acquiring a range and character beyond all previous conceptions, it became clear that the attempt made at London in time of peace to determine not only the principles of law, but even the forms under which they were to be applied, had not produced a wholly satisfactory result. As a matter of fact, these rules, while not in all respects improving the safeguards afforded to neutrals, do not provide belligerents with the most effective means of exercising their admitted rights. As events progressed the Germanic Powers put forth all their ingenuity to. relax the pressure tightening about them and to reopen a channel for supplies; their devices compromised innocent neutral commerce and involved it in suspicions of enemy agency. Moreover, the manifold developments of naval and military science, the invention of new engines of war, the concentration

* Also sent to other neutral representatives in London.

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by the Germanic Powers of the whole body of their resources on military ends, produced conditions altogether different from those prevailing in previous naval wars. The rules laid down in the Declaration of London, could not stand the strain imposed by the test, of rapidly changing conditions and tendencies which could not have been foreseen. The Allied Governments were forced to recognize the situation thus created, and to adapt the rules of the Declaration from time to time to meet these changing conditions. These successive modifications may perhaps have exposed the purpose of the Allies to misconstruction ; they have therefore come to the conclusion that they must confine themselves simply to applying the historic and admitted rules of the law of nations. The Allies solemnly and unreservedly declare that the action of their warships, no less than the. judgments of their Prize Courts, will continue to conform to these principles; that they will faithfully fulfil their- engagements, and in particular will observe the terms of all international conventions regarding the laws of war; that, mindful, of the dictates of humanity, they repudiate utterly all. thought of threatening the lives of non-combatants; that they will not without cause interfere with neutral property; and that if they should, by the action of their fleets, cause damage to the interests of any merchant acting in good faith, they will always be ready to consider his claims and to grant him such redress as may be due. Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Order in Council. (Vide Enclosure to No. 4.7.)

No. 49. New Zealand, No. 568. My Lord,— Downing Street, 26th July, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 380, of the 24th May, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a notice issued by the Board of Trade to shipbuilders, shipowners, and shipmasters on the subject of ships' lifeboat compasses. 2. Copies of the notice are being sent direct by the Board of Trade to the proper authorities in His Majesty's oversea dominions. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

A.-l, 1917 No. 49.

Enclosure. Notice to Shipbuilders, Shipowners, and Shipmasters. Ships' Lifeboat Com/passes. 1. General Rule 14 (2) of the Life-saving Appliances Rules requires the boats carried by foreigngoing ships, or by ships in Classes I to V inclusive of the home trade, to be provided each with an efficient compass. Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 5 of this notice, no compass inspected on or after the Ist January, 1917, may be passed under this rule unless it complies with the following specification : — (a,.) The compass must be of the " liquid " type. (6.) The magnet must have ample directive force. (c.) The card must be not less than 4 in. in diameter, must have a clearance from the bowl of at least Jin, and must have a centre of sapphire, hard agate, or other hard stone. (d.) The pivot must be of suitable hard metal, preferably iridium. (c.) The liquid must be non-corrosive, and otherwise suitable for the purpose. (/.) The chamber must be provided with means to allow for the expansion and contraction of the liquid. (g.) The bowl must be weighted at, the bottom and fitted with gimbals giving fore-and-aft and thwartship action, and must be placed in a binnacle or box of non-magnetic material.

5—A. 2.

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(h.) The maker's or dealer's name and address must be clearly marked on the compass. Suitable means of illumination at night must be provided. 2. (a.) In a ship which carries passengers in the North Atlantic four of the boats must be provided with compasses in accordance with paragraph 1 of this notice, and every motor-boat carried must be so provided. The remaining boats need not be provided with compasses, but the boats fitted with compasses must be marked so as to distinguish them from other boats. (b.) In every other passenger-ship to which General Rule 14 (2) applies (i.e., foreign-going passenger-ships and sea-going home-trade passenger-ships) and carrying sixteen or more boats, eight boats must be provided with compasses in accordance with paragraph 1 of this notice. If less than sixteen boats are carried at least one-half must be provided with such compasses. (c.) In every cargo-ship to which General Rule 14 (2) applies (i.e., foreign-going and hometrade cargo-ships), at least two boats, one on each side of the ship, must be provided with compasses in accordance with paragraph 1 of this notice. (d.) Any compasses which have previously been passed and are still in. good condition may be accepted in boats which are not required to have compasses in accordance with paragraph I of this notice; but all new compasses, and all compasses fitted in boats for new ships, or in new boats for existing ships, must comply with paragraph 1. In the ships mentioned fn clause (a) of this paragraph, the four boats with compasses must have compasses in accordance with paragraph 1. 3. The Director of the National Physical Laboratory has advised the Board of Trade that, to secure an efficient compass, the following conditions should be satisfied; and the Board, while not insisting on compliance with the whole of these conditions, recommend their adoption by makers of ship's lifeboat compasses, and invite the attention of shipowners to them. The magnet to be of tungsten steel and to be enclosed in a liquid-tight compartment; for a 4-in. card the moment of the magnetic system to be not less than 700 C.G.S. units; the jewelled centre to be of sapphire or other equally hard stone; the pivot to be of iridium and the point slightly rounded; the liquid to be a mixture of alcohol and distilled water, having a density between 094 and 097 (a mixture of one part of spirits of wine with two parts of distilled water will, in general, be found suitable*); the effective weight of the float-card on the pivot to be not more than 4 grammes; the bowl to be of stout non-magnetic metal, and to be loaded with lead so as to swing freely in gimbals giving fore-and-aft and thwartship action; the card to have a J-in. radial clearance from the bowl and to be divided into points or half-points; and, while a satisfactory luminous dial is desirable, an efficient lamp should also be provided in all cases. 4. The Board of Trade wish to draw attention to the desirability of the, periodical testing of compasses. The Director of the National Physical Laboratory is prepared to test compasses and to advise on technical points. Application should be made to the Director, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, London. S.W. 5. This notice supersedes the notice on the subject issued in September, 1915 (Handbill 366), but a compass which has, before the issue of the present notice, been passed as complying with the previous notice may be accepted at any time so long as it remains in good condition. C. Hipwood, Board of Trade, Marine Department, July, 1916. Assistant Secretary.

No. 50. New Zealand, No. 570. My Lord,— Downing Street, 27th July, 1916. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 133, of the 2nd June, relating to the scheme for the organization and development of scientific and industrial research. 2. Copies are being transmitted to the Governments of the other selfgoverning dominions. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

A.-1, 1917 No. 26.

No. 51. New Zealand, No. 611. My Lord, — Downing Street, Bth August, 1.916. With reference to my despatch, No. 568, of the 26th July, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, * This mixture freezes at about 0° Fahrenheit. If a mixture which will remain liquid to about — 10° Fahrenheit U required, two parts of alcohol to throe parti of water should be used.

A.-l, 1917 No. 50.

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copies of instructions which the Board of Trade are issuing to their Surveyors, dealing with the construction and inspection of ships' wooden lifeboats required under the statutory Life-saving Appliances Rules. 2. Copies are being sent by the Board of Trade direct to the proper authorities in the oversea dominions. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

No. 52. New Zealand, No. 641. My Lord, — Downing Street, 21st August, 1916. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of the Charter of the Imperial College of Science and Technology, which was founded in 1.907, for the purpose of giving the highest specialized instruction, and to provide the fullest equipment for the most advanced training and research, in various branches of science, especially in its application to industry. 2. With a view to emphasizing the Imperial character of their work, a resolution was recently passed by the governing body of the college providing for the addition of seven members to their number, representing respectively the self-governing dominions, India, and the Crown colonies and protectorates. I enclose for your Ministers' information a copy of an Order in Council dated the 7th July amending the charter of the Imperial college in accordance with this resolution, together with a list of the members who composed the governing body before the resolution was passed. 3. I shall be glad to know whether your Ministers desire to take advantage of the opportunity of appointing a representative on the governing body of the college, and, if so, to learn whom they nominate as the representative of the Dominion. It will be observed that the member representing New Zealand is to be deemed to be appointed for a term of office ending on 31st May, 1921. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.0., &c.

A.-l, .1917. No. 55.

No. 53. New Zealand, No. 642. My Lord, — Downing Street, 21st August, 1916. In continuation of my despatch, No. 460, of the 23rd June, relative to the war-tax imposed by the Government of Jamaica on letters and parcels addressed to places within the Empire, I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that the law imposing this special tax came into operation on the Ist April last, and will continue in force until and including the,3lst March next f have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

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No. 54. New Zealand, No. 659. My Lord,--- Downing Street, 24th August, 1916. 7, With reference to my despatch, No. 67, of the Ist February, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a circular issued by the Board of Trade amending the regulations relating to the examination of candidates for certificates of competency as master in the mercantile marine. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

A.-l, 1917 No. 52.

Enclosure. (Circular 1577.) Examination of Masters and Mates. Instructions to Examiners and Notice to Candidates. The Board of Trade have decided that during the war no man may be examined for a certificate of competency as master, extra master, or master (home trade) unless (a) he is a British subject, and (h) at the time of his birth each of his parents was a British subject by birth or by naturalization. In order to prove that he complies with these conditions every candidate for any of the certificates named must produce to the Examiner of Masters and Mates his own birth-certificate and the birth-certificate or certificate of naturalization of each of his parents. These documents should be lodged with the Examiner at least a week before the day on which the candidate wishes to present himself for examination. If in any case there is any doubt whether a candidate complies with the conditions set out in this circular, the matter should be referred by the local Examiner to the Marine Department, Board of Trade. Paragraphs 3, 38, 54, 61, and 64 of the Regulations relating to the Examination of Masters and Mates should be amended accordingly. C. Hipwoon, Board of Trade, Marine Department, July, 1916. Assistant Secretary.

No. 55. New Zealand, No. 680. My Lord, — Downing Street, 31st August, 1.916. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Governor of the Leeward Islands has reported that it is intended to impose the following war-taxes on correspondence addressed from certain of the P residencies of the colony to the L'nited Kingdom and other parts of the Empire : — (a.) on all letters from Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Dominica : (b.) Id. on all letters and 3d. on all parcels from the Virgin Islands. These taxes will come into force on the Ist September. 2. I have approved these proposals subject to the consent of the other Administrations interested, and I trust that your Ministers will not raise any objection to the imposition of these taxes in respect of letters (and in the case of'the Virgin Islands parcels also) sent from the Presidencies in. question to New Zealand, and will give instructions for surcharging insufficiently prepaid letters and parcels. Post-cards should not be surcharged. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, ; G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

A.-l, 1917, No. 54. -| i

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No. 56. New Zealand, No. 691. My Lord, — Downing Street, 4th September, 1916. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the consideration of your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade respecting a proposed touring exhibition of goods of British manufacture to visit certain of the dominions with a view to affording trade buyers and the general public there an opportunity of inspecting samples of British-made goods. ....... I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosure. Board of Trade (Commercial Department), Gwydyr House, Whitehall, Sir,-— London S.W, 25th August, 1916. I am. directed by tho Board of Trade to state that they have under consideration proposals for a touring exhibition of goods of British manufacture, to visit certain of the selfgoverning dominions with a view to affording trade buyers and the general public there an opportunity of inspecting a large number of samples of British-made goods, of which in some instances the manufacture has been considerably developed during the last two years. It is anticipated that such an exhibition would be representative of the manufactures of some five hundred different firms, and the Board hope to be able to arrange for visits to Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Wellington, Sydney, and Brisbane. The expense of the exhibition will be borne by the exhibitors, but no actual business will be transacted, and it is proposed that the exhibition should be open to the public free of charge on the afternoon of each day during the period allotted to teach town, the mornings being reserved for trade buyers only, to whom invitations will be issued by the Board of Trade. It is proposed further that the exhibition shall be accompanied by Board of Trade officials, who will endeavour to furnish inquirers with full information regarding each of the articles exhibited and so to facilitate negotiations between overseas buyers and the exhibiting firms. The expense of organizing such an exhibition will naturally be large, and in view of the fact that actual orders will not be booked at the exhibition and that the public will be admitted free of charge the Board venture to hope that the Governments of South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand will be disposed to assist the undertaking by arranging for the grant of the following facilities :— (a.) The lowest possible railway and shipping rates : (6.) The use of a suitable building in each town, if possible, free of charge: (c.) The waiving of all Customs duties or special formalities regarding the exhibits and printed matter relating thereto. As far as can be estimated at present the cubic measurements of the exhibition packing-cases will amount to about 1,000 tons, and the weight to about 300 tons. Buildings to be utilized for exhibition purposes should have a floor-space amounting to about 30,000 square feet, which could, if necessary, be divided into several rooms. It will not be necessary for show-cases or stands to be provided locally. The exhibition would probably open for about two weeks in each town, and as about two weeks would be required to arrange the exhibits and a corresponding period to pack and remove them, the buildings would be required in all for approximately six weeks in each centre. In view of the large amount of detail which has to be arranged, it is improbable that the exhibition will be ready for despatch from London until the summer of the year 1917. I am to ask you to be good enough to move Mr. Secretary Bonar Law, should he see no objection, to cause particulars of the scheme thus outlined to be communicated to the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa, with a view to ascertaining whether they would be prepared to grant any—and, if so, what—special rates for the transportation of the exhibition by any railway or steamship lines under their control, and whether they could see their way to co-operate in any other manner, as suggested above, with a view to facilitating the carryingout of the scheme, which the Board believe is likely to be of great service in the promotion of inter-Imperial trade. I have &c. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. C. Hipwood.

No. 57. New Zealand, No. 716. My Lord,— Downing Street, Bth September, 1916. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that, in the interests of economy and in order to meet the 'wishes of the

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Chinese Post Office, it has been decided to withdraw the British Post Office agencies in China, with the exception of that at Wei-hai-wei, from the Imperial penny-postage scheme. The Ist October, 1916, has been fixed as the date from which international rates of postage will be charged on letters from the United Kingdom for those agencies, and on letters from the agencies for the United Kingdom and the British oversea dominions, colonies, and protectorates, except Hong Kong and Wei-hai-wei. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

No. 58. New Zealand, No. 729. My Lord, — Downing Street, 13th September, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 356, of the 15th May, I have the honour to transmit to Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of (a) a notice which has been published in the Press giving the names of the members of the new Executive Council of the Imperial Institute, all of whom have now been appointed, with the exception of the representative of Newfoundland : (b) a letter from Lord Islington, G.C.M.G, D.S.O, whom the Executive Committee have elected as their Chairman, submitting a report of the Organizing Committee appointed by the Executive Council; this report, which I have approved, indicates the manner in which the Council will conduct its work : (c) a memorandum prepared in connection with the report of the Director of the Imperial Institute for the year 1914 (Cd. 8172-8) dealing with the work of the various branches of the Institute, a copy of which document is also enclosed for convenience of reference. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. The Executive Council appointed under section 2 (4) of the Imperial Institute (Management) Act. 1916, for the purpose of carrying on the management of the Imperial Institute under the Secretary of State for the Colonies, lias been constituted as follows: — Appointed by the Board of Trade ... ... Sir W. H. Clark, X.C.S.I, CM.G. Mr. H. Fountain, C.M.G. Appointed by the Secretary of State for India... Sir J. P. Hewett, G.C.S.I, CLE, I.C.S. Mr. L. J. Kershaw, CLE, I.C.S. Appointed by the President of the Board of Sir Sydney Olivier, K.C.M.G. Agriculture and Fisheries Appointed by the Government of India ..'. Sir R. W. Carlyle, X.C.S.I, CLE, I.C.S. Appointed by the Government of the Dominion The Honourable Sir George H. Perley, of Canada K.C.M.G, a member of the Canadian Cabinet. Appointed by the Government of the Common-' The Right Honourable Andrew Fisher, High wealth of Australia ' Commissioner for Australia. Appointed by the Government of the Union, of The Honourable Philip Schreiner, X.C, South Africa C.M.G., High Commissioner for South Africa.

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Appointed by the Government of the Dominion The Honourable Sir Thomas Mackenzie, of New Zealand K.C.M.G, High Commissioner for New Zealand. Appointed by the Secretary of State for the The Right Honourable Lord Emmott, G.C.M.G, Colonies Director of the War Trade Department. The Right Honourable Lord Islington, G.C.M.G, D.S.O, Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State for India. The Right Honourable the Earl of Scarbrough, K.C.B, Chairman of the Niger Company (Limited). The Right Honourable Lord Burnham. Sir Algernon Firth, Bart, President of the Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom. Sir Owen Philipps, K.C.M.G, M.P. Sir William Taylor, K.C.M.G, formerly Resi-dent-General of the Malay States. Sir M. F. Reid, CLE, Chairman of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce (on the recommendation of the Secretary of State for India). Professor AVyndham R. Dunstan, C.M.G, Director of the Imperial Institute. Mr. Richard Threlfall, F.R.S, formerly Professor of Physics in the University of Sydney, New South Wales (on the recommendation of the Lord President of the Council). Mr. R. M. Kindersly, a Director of the Bank of England. Mr. D. 0. Malcolm, a Director of the British South African Company. Mr. G. E. A. Grindle, C.M.G, of the Colonial Office. Mr. T. 0. Macnaghten, of the Colonial Office. The Government of Newfoundland will 'shortly appoint, a representative on Executive Council. Colonial Office, 14th June, 1916.

No. 59. New Zealand, No. 737. My Lord, — Downing Street, 15th September, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 659, of the 24th August, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a circular issued by the Board of Trade respecting the examination of masters and mates, together with a copy of a letter on the subject which has been addressed by the Board to the examining authorities in His Majesty's oversea dominions. 2. It will doubtless be agreed that it is desirable that the examinations upon which certificates of competency are granted should as far as possible be uniform throughout His Majesty's dominions as regards both the subject-matter of the examinations and the standard of proficiency required. The Board are of opinion that the attainment and maintenance of such uniformity would be greatly facilitated if arrangements could be made from time to time for some of the Examiners of Masters and Mates in all the self-governing dominions where such examinations are held to visit this country and to study the methods adopted in the Board's examinations and the system by which these are co-ordinated. 3. The Board consider that the opportunities which would thus be afforded for the mutual interchange of views on the subject of the examinations would result in considerable benefit to the examinations both in the dominions and in this country. 4. Should your Ministers concur in the desirability of such an arrangement the Board would be glad to give whatever assistance they could to enable

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Examiners to become familiar with the organization and methods of the examinations, and the Board's Principal Examiner of Masters and Mates would be glad to explain the system of trie examinations, to discuss questions of difficulty, and to show the actual conduct of examinations at ports in the United Kingdom. 5. I should be glad to learn the views of your Ministers on this proposal. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosures. (Circular 1574.) Examination of Masters ano Mates. Instructions to Examiners and Notice to Candidates. The Board of Trade have decided to introduce certain changes into the examination of candidates for certificates of competency as master or mate. References are to the current (1913) edition of the Regulations relating to the Examination of Masters and Mates (Exn. 1). I. The following changes will take effect on the Ist October, 1916 : — 1. Signalling (Paragraphs 32 (m), 59, 65 (r); Appendix E).— -Candidates for the extramaster's certificate and for the voluntary examination in signalling will be required to attain a. minimum speed of twelve words a minute in semaphore and ten words a minute in Morse flashing; the minimum speed for Morse flag-waving remaining at six words a minute. Candidates for other certificates will only be required, as announced in handbill 367, to attain a minimum speed of eight words a minute in semaphore and five words a minute in Morse flashing and flag-waving. 2. Chart Work (Paragraphs 32 (I), 59; Appendix H). —Candidates for certificates of any grade will be required to work satisfactorily all the chart problems indicated in Appendix H. 3. Definitions (Paragraphs 32 (b), 155; Appendix D). —The separate paper on definitions (Appendix D) will be discontinued, and, instead, candidates will be required to give a figure and explanation for each problem worked. 4. Lam of Storms (Paragraph 36 (m); Appendix I). —The paper on the law of storms in the examination for certificates as first mate or master will be replaced by a paper on meteorology. 11. The following changes will take effect on the Ist January, 1918 : — 5. Navigation (Paragraphs 32, 36, 39, 59, 62, 65, 151, 152, 153).— The whole of the'examination in navigation will be brought under the marks system. A specified time will be allotted for each paper (see paragraph 12 of this notice), and papers will not be returned to candidates for correction. Candidates will be required to obtain 85 per cent, of the total marks in order to pass. 6. Second, Mate (Paragraph 32). —Candidates for certificates as second mate will be required to answer questions on plane trigonometry and elementary viva voce questions on the main parts of a ship's construction, and, in place of the present dictation paper, to write a short essay on some simple subject. 7. First Mate. (Paragraph 36). —Candidates for certificates as first or only mate will be required, in addition to the work for the second mate's certificate, to answer questions on rightangled spherical trigonometry and more advanced questions on the main parts of a ship's construction and their general use. 8. Master (Paragraph 39; Appendix J). —Candidates for certificates as master (foreigngoing) will be required, in addition, to the work for the first mate's certificate, to answer questions on ship-construction and naval architecture and a few elementary questions on stability (for standard text-book see Appendix R), and to write a short essay on some suitable subject. The questions on the deviation of the compass (Appendix J) will be remodelled. 9. Extra, Master (Paragraph 65; Appendix X). —Candidates for certificates as extra master will be required, in addition to the work for the master's certificate, to answer more advanced questions on naval architecture, including ship-construction and stability; questions on magnetism as relating to the compass; and a paper on general knowledge, including shipping business, imports and exports, astronomy and general elementary science (except, chemistry). 10. Home-trade Mate (Paragraph 59; Appendix H). —The examination will include all the chart work and the use and adjustments of the sextant. 11. Home-trade Master (Paragraph 62). —Candidates will be required to find compass corrections by amplitude and time azimuth of the sun. 12. Time allowed (Paragraphs 169 to 182). —The time allowed for the written and worked portions of the examinations for foreign-going and home-trade certificates will be arranged as follows : — A regular luncheon interval will be given each day between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., the viva voce and practical parts of the examinations being taken at. such times as may be convenient. Second mate: Paper on navigation and nautical astronomy, 3 hours; nautical astronomy and trigonometry, 2 hours ; chart work, 3 hours; essay, 1 hour. First or only mate: Paper on navigation and nautical astronomy, 3 hours; nautical astronomy and trigonometry, 2 hours; chart work, 3 hours; sumner problem and meteorology paper, 2 hours.

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Master: Paper on navigation and nautical astronomy, 3 hours; nautical astronomy and trigonometry, 2 hours; chart work, 3 hours; sumner problem and meteorology paper, 2 hours; compass-deviation, 1A hours; naval architecture, 1£ hours; essay, 2 hours. Extra master : Paper on navigation and nautical astronomy, 3 hours; nautical astronomy and trigonometry, 2 hours; chart-construction, 3 hours; chart work, 2 hours; naval architecture and stability, 3 hours; magnetism, 2 hours; general knowledge, 3 hours; essay on meteorology or other subject as may be selected, 2 hours. Home-trade mate : Arithmetic paper, 2 hours; chart work, 3 hours. Home-trade master: Arithmetic paper, 2 hours; chart work, 3 hours; nautical astronomy and deviation questions, 3 hours. C. Hipwood, Board of Trade, Marine Department, July, 1916. Assistant Secretary.

Board of Trade (Marine Department), 7 Whitehall Gardens, London S.W, Sir,— 25th August, 1916. I am directed by the Board of Trade to transmit herewith six copies of a circular announcing certain forthcoming changes in the Regulations for the Examination of Masters and Mates, and I am to suggest that similar modifications should be adopted in the examinations of candidates in for certificates of competency of Imperial validity. A few of the changes come into force on the Ist October, 1916, but the more important modifications of the examinations will not come into operation until the Ist January, 1918. The Board think it desirable that the examinations for masters' and mates' certificates which have Imperial validity should, as far as possible, be uniform throughout His Majesty's dominions, and that the revised scheme of examination which has been found desirable and necessary should be brought into operation everywhere at the same date —namely, Ist January, 1918. With this object in view the Board's Principal Examiner of Masters and Mates will have pleasure in providing you, if you will notify the Board that you desire them, with complete sets of papers for the new examinations in sufficient time to enable copies to be printed by that date, and also in furnishing you from time to time in future with further sets of papers for use in the examinations in order to ensure variety in the examination, and to make it more effective as a test of competency. The problems contained in these papers will be based on the " Nautical Almanac abridged for the Use of Seamen " for the year 1918, and on the Admiralty Tide-tables for the year 1917. If, therefore, it is desired that sets of papers shall be supplied to you as suggested it will be necessary to provide a sufficient number of copies of those publications for use in the examinationrooms. Adequate precautions must be taken to prevent any examination-papers supplied by the Board of Trade, or printed locally, from getting into the hands of the public. I am, &c, C Hipwood.

No. 60. New Zealand, No. 809. My Lord,— Downing Street, 10th October, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 570, of the 27th July, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, a, copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia respecting the scheme for the organization and development of scientific and industrial research. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosure. Commonwealth of Australia, Governor-General's Office, Melbourne, Sir,— 31st July, 1916. With reference to your despatch of the 29th March, 1916, No. 293, on the subject of the proposal to make the scheme of His Majesty's Government for the organization and development of scientific and industrial research applicable to the whole Empire, I have the honour to inform you that in December last the Commonwealth Government invited the Ministers of Agriculture of the several States, and representatives of the Australian universities, associated Chambers of Manufactures and of Commerce, and of the mining industry, to meet in Melbourne to discuss the question of taking steps to develop the primary and secondary industries of the Commonwealth. The Conference, which was presided over by the Prime Minister, was held on the sth and 6th January, 1916, and a Committee of the Conference was appointed to formulate proposals to the Government. Six copies of the report of that Committee are attached hereto,

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The proposed establishment of a Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry will be further considered after the return of the Prime Minister to Australia. Action has. been taken, however, in connection with paragraph 7 of the Committee's report, and an Advisory Council has been appointed by the Governor-General in Council to carry out the following objects: — (i.) The consideration and initiation of scientific researches in connection with, or for the promotion of primary and. secondary industries in, the Commonwealth : (ii.) The collection of industrial scientific information, and the formation of a bureau for its dissemination amongst those engaged in industry. The Minister of Agriculture of each State of the Commonwealth is ex officio a member of the Advisory Council, and the Prime Minister, or, in his absence, the Vice-President of the Federal Executive Council, is the Chairman. An Executive Committee of the Advisory Council has been appointed, the Chairman of which is the Prime Minister, or, in his absence, the Vice-President of the Federal Executive Council. Ministers suggest that tire Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Advisory Council of Science and Industry be authorized to enter into direct relations with the Advisory Council appointed by His Majesty's Government. Copies of the documents forwarded under cover of the Secretary of State's despatch of the 29th March were brought to the notice of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Advisory Council, and a copy of a minute of the Executive Committee on the subject is enclosed herewith. I have, &c, R. M. Ferguson, Governor-General. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Proposals for a Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry. . Report of Committee Appointed in pursuance of motion passed at Conference convened by Prime Minister, that " An Advisory Committee be constituted' to formulate proposals to the Government to establish a Commonwealth Bureau of Science and Industry." Members of Committee. Representatives of Universities. —Sydney —Professor Sir Thomas Anderson Stuart; Melbourne—Professor Orme Masson ; Queensland —Professor Alex. J. Gibson ; Adelaide—Sir Douglas Mawson. Inter-State Commissioners. —Mr. A. B. Piddington, K.C. ; the Hon. G. Swinburne. The Associated Chambers of Commerce of Australia. —Mr. W. T. Appleton. The Associated Chambers of Manufactures of Australia. —Mr. W. W. Forwood. Messrs. G. D. Delprat, W. S. Robinson, E. W. Knox, W. P. Wilkinson (Commonwealth Analyst), J. M. Higgins, W. Russell Grimwade. Ex officio Members. —Prime Minister of the Commonwealth; the Hon. F. Hagelthorn, Minister of Agriculture, Victoria; the Hon. W. Lennon, Minister of Agriculture, Queensland; the Hon. C. Goode, Minister of Agriculture, South Australia. I. Introduction. The Committee appointed in pursuance of the motion set out above met in the Cabinet-room, Commonwealth Offices, on the 6th, 7th, Bth, 12th, and 13th January, 1916. The Committee, in formulating the following scheme, has been greatly impressed with the magnitude and the possibilities of the proposals made by the Prime Minister, and is strongly of opinion that the time has arrived for initiating the extensive scheme of scientific research work in connection with industry which he has outlined. The Committee is convinced that the results of properly conducted investigations into many of the subjects referred to in his address will amply repay considerable expenditure and fully justify a bold and comprehensive policy being adopted. Not only will the results be a greatly increased productivity and output in many directions —in both primary and secondary industries —but the stimulus generally given to scientific research in relation to our industries will exert a powerful influence on our educational institutions, and bring them and the industrial community to realize the commercial value of science more fully than hitherto. In fact, the initiation of the scheme will, in the opinion of the Committee, go far to inaugurate a new era in the economic and industrial life of the Commonwealth. The proposals which follow will provide for the formation of a Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry under the control of directors of the highest business and scientific attainment, acting with the advice and co-operation of a Council representing science and the primary and secondary industries of Australia. 11. Recommendations. 1. There should be established under Act of Parliament a Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry. 2. The functions of the Institute should be— (i.) To consider and initiate scientific, researches in connection with, or for the promotion of primary or secondary industries in, the Commonwealth : (ii.) The collection of industrial scientific information and the formation of a bureau for its dissemination amongst those engaged in industry : (iii ) The establishment of national laboratories;

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(iv.) The general control and administration of such laboratories when established: (v.) To promote the immediate utilization of existing institutions, whether Federal or State, for the purposes of industrial scientific research : (vi.) To make recommendations from time to time for the establishment or development of special institutions, or departments of existing institutions, for the scientific study of problems affecting particular industries and trades : (vii.) The establishment and award of industrial research studentships and fellowships, to include either travelling-fellowships or fellowships attached to particular institutions: (vifii) To draw attention to any new industries which might be profitably established in the Commonwealth : (ix.) To keep in close touch with and seek the aid of all Commonwealth and State Government Departments, learned and professional societies, and private enterprises concerned with or interested in scientific industrial research : (x.) The co-ordination and direction of scientific investigation and of research and experimental work with a view to the prevention of undesirable overlapping of effort: (xi.) To advise the several authorities as to the steps which should be taken for increasing the supply of workers competent to undertake scientific research : (xii.) To recommend grants by the Commonwealth Government in aid of pure scientific research in existing institutions : (xiii.) To seek from time to time the co-operation of the educational authorities and scientific societies in the States with a view to advancing the teaching of science in schools, technical colleges, and universities, where its teaching is determined upon by those authorities : (xiv.) To report annually and from time to time to Parliament. 3. The Committee gave careful attention to the relation between the proposed Institute and the existing Commonwealth Laboratory. It was recognized that the daily routine of Customs, Naval and Military Stores, and other Departments requires the performance of a great deal of important scientific work, particularly chemical analysis of material, and that the laboratories in which such routine scientific work is carried out must necessarily remain under Departmental control, though they might with advantage be co-ordinated and their equipment increased. On the other hand, as the work of the proposed Institute develops there will be an increased scope for work in national laboratories devoted to special branches of research and experimental investigation which are not otherwise provided for. Such laboratories and their scientific staffs should, in the' Committee's opinion, be kept distinct and placed under the control of the Institute. In the future it will be necessary to undertake experimental work in connection with the growth of our naval and military defence, the testing of materials with regard to the physical reasons underlying deterioration and change of structure due to mechanical and heat treatment, and as to failure in operation under varying conditions, the testing and trying-out of processes in connection, with the metallurgical industry and biological and geological problems. The highly specialized intricate work, of standardizing electrical instruments and other scientific apparatus for use as sub-standards by different Government Departments and other institutions in which research work may be carried on would also naturally fall within the functions of the Institute. A convincing reason for drawing a line of distinction between laboratories primarily for scientific research and laboratories primarily for the necessary routine work of departmental testing is that any attempt to combine the two would lead to confusion and hamper and weaken both branches of activity, and would tend to drown the research work for which the Institute is being created. It cannot be too strongly insisted that the qualifications of a staff for "researching" are different in character from those of a staff which is to carry out scientific routine testing. The Committee therefore recommends that— (a.) Tho control of the present Commonwealth Laboratories be not disturbed, but that they be co-ordinated, their staff increased, and their equipment improved. (b.) Any new national, laboratories which may be created for special purposes of research and experimental inquiry, including a physical laboratory for testing and standardizing purposes, should be controlled by the Institute. 4. With regard to the constitution of the Institute the Committee passed the following resolutions :— (i.) " That an Advisory Council consisting of nine members representing science and the principal primary and secondary industries be appointed, who shall advise and co-operate with the Directors in framing the policy and in the administration of the Institute." (ii.) " That the members be appointed by the Governor-General in Council." (iii.) " That for the purpose of controlling and administering the Institute, and of collecting information, and determining on the researches to be undertaken and directing their elucidation, three highly qualified salaried Directors, of whom one should be Chairman of the Directors, shall be appointed by the GovernorGeneral in Council. The Directors shall seek the advice and co-operation of the Council, and shalljae ex officio members thereof." (iv.) "That of the three Directors one should be an expert business and financial man with ability in organization; the other two should be chosen mainly on account of scientific attainments and wide experience." (v.) " The tenure of the Directors shall be fixed by the Act.'' (vi.) " That the scientific staff should be appointed by the Governor-General in Council on the recommendation of the Directors."

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5. The Committee further resolved as follows :— (i.) "That all discoveries, inventions, improvements, processes, and machines made by workers directly employed by the Institute should be vested in trustees appointed by it as its sole property, and should be made available, under proper conditions and on payment of gratuities or otherwise, for public advantage." (ii.) " That the Council of the Institute should be empowered to recommend to the Government the payment of bonuses to successful discoverers or inventors working under the auspices of the Institute." (iii.) " That the Institute should be empowered to charge fees for special investigations, subject to regulations approved by the Governor-General in Council." 6. Though these matters are not directly connected with the proposed Institute, the Committee passed two further resolutions: — (i.) " That steps should be taken with a view to co-ordinating the work of our technical colleges and trade schools throughout Australia, so that a supply of scientifically taught craftsmen will be available to support the expansion of industry that it is hoped will result from the operations of the Institute of science and industry." (ii.) " That with a view to promoting our export trade in Australian products it is desirable that serious attention be given to the study of modern languages, including Oriental languages, for commercial purposes." Immediate Arrangements. 7. The Committee realizes that the establishment of the Institute will necessarily involve some delay, but being impressed with (lie urgent need for work of the character proposed the Committee resolved as follows :— (i.) "That until the'lnstitute is established an Advisory Council be appointed by the Governor-General in Council particularly to carry out the objects expressed in Resolutions 2 (i) and (ii) —viz, 'To consider and initiate scientific researches in connection with, or for the promotion of primary or secondary industries in, the Commonwealth'; and (ii) 'The collection of industrial scientific information and the formation of a bureau for its dissemination amongst those engaged in industry.' " (ii.) " That the Federal and State Munitions Committees, heads of the Commonwealth and State scientific Departments, and bodies representative of Commonwealth manufacture, commerce, agriculture, mining, and engineering, the universities and technical colleges, and private enterprises be invited to suggest branches of industrial scientific research in which investigation would be of immediate practical use to producers and manufacturers." (iii.) "That the Advisory Council be appointed forthwith, and that when appointed it. immediately take steps to initiate research work into the most pressing matters needing investigation, and seek the co-operation of existing institutions, and utilize the resources of staff and equipment at our disposal at the present time." (iv.) The Committee suggests for the consideration of the Advisory Council that the following problems, amongst others, are pressing : — The sheep-fly pest. Improved methods of extracting zinc from Australian ores, including the commercial manufacture of electrolytic zinc. The utilization of brown coal with recovery of by-products. The introduction of a mechanical cotton-picker. The eradication of the prickly pear. The production of aluminium and ferro alloys. The recovery of potash, manufacture of alkali, and condensation of sulphurousacid gas at present being wasted. The cultivation of useful indigenous grasses and salt-bushes. The manufacture of fine chemicals, drugs, and explosives. It is, of course, impossible to predict, in matters of research, what the outcome of investigations may be. And the Committee realizes that not all the above subjects can be examined to the point of final results during the interval before the Institute gets to work. The Committee, however, suggests that in many, if not all, of the above matters most valuable work could be done in collecting data, and in effect making a preliminary census both as to present discoveries and the staff and apparatus available in Australia. Such work is an indispensable first step in all research. In addition to this there is ample scope for practical work during the interval in vigorously prosecuting the dissemination of known information as to processes, (fee, amongst, our producers and manufacturers. (v.) "That funds be placed at the disposal of the Advisory Council for the above purposes." 8. The Committee desires to thank the Prime Minister for having placed at its disposal the services of Mr. Gerald Lightfoot, barrister-at-law, whose work as Secretary has been greatly valued by the Committee. ■ Orme Masson (Chairman). W. S. Robinson. A. B. Piddington. George Swinburne. G. D. Delprat. Alex. J. Gibson. W. Russell Grimwade. Douglas Mawson. J. M. Higgins. W. W. Forwood Gerald Lightfoot, Secretary to Committee.

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The Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Advisory Council of Science and Industry has given careful consideration to the memorandum of the Committee of the Privy Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, which deals with the "suggestions made by the Governments of Victoria and New South Wales for making the scheme for the organization and development of scientific and industrial research applicable to the whole Empire." The Executive Committee welcomes the evidence afforded by the memorandum that the suggestions of the Australian State Governments have been received with cordial approval by the Committee of the Privy Council, and that there is therefore a definite prospect of a concerted effort throughout the Empire by means of bodies established in the dominions and affiliated with the present organization in the United Kingdom. With regard to the suggestions made in paragraphs 3 to 6 of the memorandum, the Committee desire to express general concurrence with them, and with the opinion that the formulation of precise conditions of affiliation and adoption of definite methods of co.-operation are best postponed till experience has been gained. From the outset, however, great advantage will accrue to the Commonwealth Advisory Council if the Committee of the Privy Council will keep it informed of its decisions and actions, as far as it may think fit, and the A.dvisory Council will in turn furnish reports from time to time as to its own doings. It may be stated that a beginning has already been made here in the undertaking of functions such as those referred to in paragraphs 8 and 9 of the memorandum, and in particular that the Committee is now compiling registers of Australian industries, industrial problems for research, and scientific personnel and laboratories available for research, and that it is also considering the educational facilities and the needs of Australia from the standpoint of the future supply of competent investigators. In paragraph 7 of the memorandum it is stated that the necessary first steps towards a system of co-operation must be the establishment by the appropriate Government of " some body or agency" having functions analogous to those of the Advisory Council which acts for the United Kingdom. This was done by the Commonwealth Government when it appointed the present Advisory Council; but it is probable that it will give place before long to a Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry to be established by Act of Parliament, with similar functions but fuller powers, as advised in the report of the Conference convened by the Prime Minister last January. Finally, the Committee note with full approval the conditions laid down in paragraph 7 of the memorandum as necessary for the successful working of any such body or agency, viz. :— (a.) That it shall be supported by the resources and influence of the Ministry. (6.) That it shall have really responsible functions and substantial authority of its own. (c.) That it shall be at liberty to communicate freely with the corresponding bodies in the United Kingdom and other parts of the Empire, and to negotiate with them in the execution of schemes of research within the limits of the funds placed at their disposal. The Committee believes that, these conditions are fulfilled by the constitution of the present Advisory Council, and that they will be fully embodied in that of the future Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry.

No. 61. New Zealand, No. 822. My Lord,— Downing Street, 16th October, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 455, of the 21st June, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the war-tax of Id. which has been imposed on all letters addressed from St. Helena to the United Kingdom and other parts of the Empire came into operation on the 10th September, 1916. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Karl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

No. 62. New Zealand, No. 826. My Lord, — Downing Street, 19th October, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 809, of the 10th October, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa respecting the scheme for the organization and development of scientific and industrial research. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

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Enclosure. Sir, — Governor-General's Office, Pretoria, Ist September, 1916. I have the honour to transmit to you herewith, with reference to your despatch, No. 329, of the 29th March. 1916, the document mentioned below, on the subject of the scheme for the organization and development of scientific and industrial research. I have, &c, Buxton, Governor-General. The Right lion. A. Bonar Law, M.P., etc. Colonial Office, London. Date: 31st August. Description of document: Minute No. 1264, from Ministers. Prime Minister's Office, Pretoria, 31st August, 1916. With reference to His Excellency the Governor-General's minute No. 9/174/2, of the 27th April last, and to despatch No. 329, from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, forwarding copies of a memorandum respecting a scheme for the organization and development of scientific and industrial research, Ministers have the honour to state that they fully recognize the importance of the proposals set out. in the memorandum, and have taken steps to obtain the views of the various scientific and technical bodies of the Union, who for some time past have been working upon lines which coincide to a remarkable degree with the views expressed in the memorandum. Additional copies of the memorandum have been printed, and their distribution has been undertaken by the Research Committee of the scientific bodies above referred to. N. J. De Wet.

No. 63. • New Zealand, No. 855. My Lord, — Downing Street, 28th October, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 581, of the 26th October, 1915, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a notice issued by the Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Parliament, regarding nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize for 1917. 2. I should be glad if your Ministers would cause the conditions of the prize to be made known to those bodies and persons who are qualified to nominate candidates. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G,, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosure. Nobel Committee ok the Norwegian Parliament.—Nobel Peace Prize. All proposals of candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize, which is to be distributed the 10th December, 1917, must, in order to be taken into consideration, be laid before the Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Parliament by a duly qualified person before the Ist February of the. same year. Any one of the following persons is held to be duly qualified : (a) Members and late members of the Nobel. Committee of the Norwegian Parliament, as well as the advisers appointed at the Norwegian Nobel Institute; (b) members of Parliament and members of Government of the different States, as well as members of the Interparliamentary Union; (c) members of the International Arbitration Court at the Hague; (d) members of the Commission of the Permanent International Peace Bureau; (c) members and associates of the Institute of International Law; (/) university professors of political science and of law, of history and of philosophy; and (g) persons who have received the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize may also be accorded to institutions or associations. According to the Code of Statutes, § 8, the grounds upon which any proposal is made must be stated, and handed in along with such papers and other documents as may therein be referred to. According to J; 3, every written work to qualify for a prize must have appeared in print. For particulars qualified persons are requested to apply to the office of the Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Parliament, Drammensvei 19, Kristiania.

No. 64. New Zealand. —Honours. My Lord, — Downing Street, 30th October, 1916. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 228, of the 13th September, reporting the death, on the 25th August last, of the Honourable Sir George Maurice O'Rorke, Knight Bachelor. 2. I am well aware of the long and valuable services which Sir Maurice O'Rorke rendered to the Dominion of New Zealand, and I have received the intelligence of his death with, much regret, I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

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No. 65. New Zealand, No. 862. My Lord,— Downing Street, Ist November, 1916. With reference to Mr. Harcourt's despatch, No. 313, of the 30th October, 1912, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Secretary of State for Home Affairs has appointed the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, in the place of the late Mr. F. S. Bullock, CLE, to be the Central Authority for this country to deal with matters arising under the international arrangement for the suppression of the white-slave traffic. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. 66. New Zealand, No. 879. My Lord, — Downing Street, 6th November, 1916. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 204, of the 21st August, and to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his power of disallowance with respect to the following Acts of the Parliament of New Zealand :— No. 1. An Act to amend the War Pensions Act, 3915. No. 2. An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account and other Accounts to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, Nineteen hundred and seventeen. No. 3. An Act to continue the Operation of certain Expiring Enactments. No. 4. An Act to amend the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915. No. 5. An Act to consolidate and amend the Law relating to Land-tax and Income-tax. No. 6. An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account and other Accounts to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, Nineteen hundred and seventeen. No. 7. An Act to fix the Rates of Land-tax and Income-tax for the Year, to amend the Law relating to the Assessment of Land and Income Tax, to authorize the raising of Money in aid of certain Public Works and Purposes, to extend the Provisions of the National Provident Fund Act, and to make other Provisions for the Financial Arrangements for the Year. No. 8. An Act to make further Provision for the Raising and Maintenance of Expeditionary Forces during the present War. No. 9. An Act to amend the War Regulations Act, 1914. No. 10. An Act to provide for the Censoring of Cinematograph-films. No. 11. An Act to provide Moneys to aid in the Development of Fruitgrowing Industry. No. 12. An Act to further amend the Laws relating to Native Lands and to Maori Councils, and to determine certain Claims and Disputes in relation to Native Lands, and to confer Jurisdiction upon the Native Land Court and the Native Appellate Court, and for other Purposes. No. 13. An Act to amend certain Enactments having Reference to the Present State of War, and to make certain Additional Provisions rendered necessary or advisable by the Continuance of such State of War. No. 14. An Act to provide for the Exchange, Sale, Reservation, and other Disposition of certain Reserves, Crown Lands, Endowments, and other Lands, to validate certain Transactions, and to confer certain Powers on certain Public Bodies. No. 15. An Act to postpone the Date of the next General Election of Members of the House of Representatives. No. 16. An Act to amend the Factories Act, 1908. No. 17. An Act to amend the Legislative Council Act, 1914. No. 18. An Act to appropriate and apply certain Sums of Money out of the Consolidated Fund, the Public Works Fund, and other Accounts to the Services of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, Nineteen hundred and seventeen, and to appropriate the Supplies granted in the Present Session.

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Local Acts. No. 1. An Act to empower the Auckland Harbour Board to raise by way of Loan the Sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pounds. No. 2. An Act to amend the Wanganui Borough Council Street Access Empowering Act, 1.913. No. 3. An Act to amend the City of Nelson Loans Conversion and Empowering Act, 1913. No. 4. An Act conferring certain Powers on the Mayor, Councillors, and Citizens of the City of Auckland (hereinafter called the Council). No. 5. An Act to confer certain Powers on the Christchureh City Council. No. 6. An Act to further amend the Dunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Act, 1900, and the Acts amending the same. No. 7. An Act to empower the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the Borough of Gisborne to acquire the Undertaking of the Gisborne Gas Company (Limited) and to produce and supply Gas in and for the Borough of Gisborne. No. 8. An Act to vest the Invercargill Athenaeum and the Property of Same in the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the Borough of Invercargill. No. 9. An Act to constitute the Waimakariri Harbour District, and to confer certain Powers on the Waimakariri Harbour Board. No. 10. An Act to enable the Wairau Harbour Board to borrow the Sum of Five Thousand Pounds for the Purpose of carrying out Improvements in the Wairau Harbour. No. 11. An Act to amend the Napier High School Act, 1882. No. 12. An Act to amend the Whakatane Harbour Act, 1912. No. 13". An Act to incorporate and confer certain Powers on the Trustees of the Wellington Methodist Charitable and Educational Endowments. Private Act. No. 1. An Act to confer Powers upon the New Zealand Insurance Company (Limited). I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

No. 67. New Zealand, No. 881. My Lord, — Downing Street, 6th November, 1916. With reference to my despatch, Honours, of the 30th January, 1914, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of a document notifying that the Right Honourable W. F. Massey has been sworn of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosure. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 24th day of October, 1916. Present : The King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. This day the Right Honourable William Ferguson Massey, Prime Minister of the Dominion of New Zealand, having been appointed a member of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council on the 21st day of January, 1914, was, by His Majesty's command, sworn, and took his place at the Board accordingly. Almerio Fitzßot.

Approximate Cost o/ Paper- —Preparation, not givtu; printing (750 copies), £28,

Authority : Marcus F, Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l7

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